WordGarden.iosentimentalism
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Meanings
Noun
the tendency to indulge tender feeling, often excessively
the doctrine that moral judgment is grounded in feeling rather than reason
Beyond the definition
Sentimentalism isn't just having feelings - everyone does that. It's when those feelings become too focused on the past, especially in a way that feels excessive or a little too sweet. Think of your grandmother carefully keeping every single baby tooth, or someone bursting into tears at a very cheesy commercial. That's leaning toward sentimentalism.
It's often linked to an idealized view of simpler times and can sometimes be seen as a weakness - a tendency to put emotion over reason. While nostalgia is normal, sentimentalism suggests getting lost in those feelings, perhaps even to the point of ignoring reality. It's not necessarily about deep grief, but more about a sweet, overly emotional attachment to memories or objects.
Sentimentalism refers to an excessive display of delicate emotion and feeling, particularly regarding things associated with the past. It's more than just being nostalgic; it implies a tendency to dwell on tender, often idealized memories, sometimes to an unrealistic degree.
The word emerged in the 18th century as part of a philosophical debate about morality and reason. Back then, "sentiment" was considered a key component of ethical behavior - but too much sentiment, critics argued, could lead to irrationality and weakness. This historical context explains why sentimentalism often carries a slightly negative connotation.
Today, we use it to describe behaviors that are overly emotional or mawkish. A person might be accused of sentimentalism if they become excessively tearful over old photographs, or if they insist on keeping every childhood trinket despite having no practical use for it. It can also apply to art and literature - a story described as "sentimental" often relies heavily on emotional appeals and heartwarming (or heartbreaking) scenarios.
However, it's important to note that sentimentalism isn't always negative. Sometimes, cherishing memories and expressing affection is perfectly healthy. The key lies in the degree of emotion involved. If those feelings start to dominate your life or cloud your judgment, you might be exhibiting sentimentalism.
So, while a little nostalgia can be comforting, sentimentalism suggests being swept away by a tide of tender emotions - often focused on an idealized past and potentially detached from reality.
Examples
- 1
Film criticism
Critics accused the film of sentimentalism.
- 2
Literary tone
The novel begins as a sharp family drama, then slips into sentimentalism.
- Patternslip into + state
gradually become that state
- 3
Charity appeal
She wanted the charity campaign to move people without turning into sentimentalism.
- 4
Social concern
His concern for the poor was more than sentimentalism; he also gave time and money.
See also
Similar
- sentimentality
- emotionalism
- mawkishness
Shades of meaning
- sappiness
- melodrama
- tenderness
Contrast
- restraint
- unsentimentality
Used with (collocations)
- Victorian sentimentalism
- excessive sentimentalism
- avoid sentimentalism
Word family
- sentimental
- sentimentalist
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- sentimentalismnoun