Definitions
- Describing something that is overly sentimental or emotional in a way that seems insincere or exaggerated. - Referring to something that is excessively sweet or cloying, often to the point of being nauseating. - Talking about something that is overly melodramatic or saccharine, lacking in subtlety or nuance.
- Describing someone who is overly emotional or sentimental, often to the point of being tearful or weepy. - Referring to something that is excessively sentimental or emotional, often in a way that is self-indulgent or overwrought. - Talking about something that is overly nostalgic or sentimental, often in a way that is cloying or insincere.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe excessive sentimentality or emotionality.
- 2Both words can be used to criticize something or someone for being overly sentimental or melodramatic.
- 3Both words have negative connotations and are often used in a pejorative sense.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Mawkish tends to connote a more exaggerated or insincere sentimentality, while maudlin suggests a more self-indulgent or overwrought emotionality.
- 2Usage: Mawkish is more commonly used to describe things like movies, books, or music, while maudlin is more commonly used to describe people or their behavior.
- 3Tone: Mawkish has a more negative and critical tone, while maudlin can sometimes have a sympathetic or indulgent tone.
Remember this!
Mawkish and maudlin are synonyms that describe excessive sentimentality or emotionality. However, mawkish tends to connote an exaggerated or insincere sentimentality, while maudlin suggests a more self-indulgent or overwrought emotionality. Additionally, mawkish is more commonly used to describe things like movies or books, while maudlin is more commonly used to describe people or their behavior.
