verklempt
Emotionally overcome, speechless
Verklempt describes being overcome with emotion—choked up, on the verge of tears, unable to speak.
The word comes from Yiddish and entered mainstream American English largely through comedy sketches in the 1990s.
It often appears in moments of sentimental overwhelm: I got all verklempt at my daughter's wedding.
Also spelled ferklempt.
Affected emotionally or physically
- movedChanged location or felt
- stirredMixed by circular motion
- affectedArtificially contrived behavior
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
tender · emotional · schmaltzy · maudlin · sappy · mushy · softhearted · poignant
Had airway blocked
- tearfulProne to weeping
- misty-eyedEyes moist with emotion
- tearyHaving watery eyes
- weepyInclined to cry
sobbing · crying · sniffling · blubbering · lachrymose · whimpering · bawling · weeping
Excessively emotional or elaborate
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- floodedCovered with water
- engulfedCompletely swallowed up
- inundatedOverwhelmed by quantity
swamped · besieged · overpowered · undone · shattered · frazzled · distraught · unraveled
Unable to express oneself
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- dumbstruckRendered speechless by shock
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
stunned · mute · inarticulate · silenced · stupefied · thunderstruck · bowled-over · awestruck
touched
Affected emotionally or physically
heartfelt · tender · emotional · schmaltzy · maudlin · sappy · mushy · softhearted · poignant · wistful
choked
Had airway blocked
- tearfulProne to weeping
- misty-eyedEyes moist with emotion
- tearyHaving watery eyes
weepy · sobbing · crying · sniffling · blubbering · lachrymose · whimpering · bawling · weeping · quivering
overwrought
Excessively emotional or elaborate
inundated · swamped · besieged · overpowered · undone · shattered · frazzled · distraught · unraveled · breaking
tongue-tied
Unable to express oneself
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- dumbstruckRendered speechless by shock
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
flabbergasted · stunned · mute · inarticulate · silenced · stupefied · thunderstruck · bowled-over · awestruck
verklemptcomposed
Calm and self-possessed
collected · unflappable · stoic · impassive · calm
verklemptarticulate
Express clearly, or well-spoken
eloquent · glib · silver-tongued · fluent · voluble
verklemptunmoved
Not stirred physically/emotionally
unaffected · indifferent · cold · apathetic · detached