Definitions
- Describing something that is overly sentimental or emotional. - Referring to a story, movie, or song that is excessively sweet or romantic. - Talking about a person who is too affectionate or sentimental in their behavior.
- Describing something that is excessively sentimental or emotional in a way that is insincere or cloying. - Referring to a story, movie, or song that is overly sentimental and manipulative. - Talking about a person who is excessively sentimental or emotional in a way that is fake or annoying.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is excessively sentimental or emotional.
- 2Both words have a negative connotation.
- 3Both words can be used to describe stories, movies, songs, or behavior.
- 4Both words are informal and casual in tone.
- 5Both words are often used interchangeably.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Sappy implies excessive sentimentality, while mawkish implies insincere or cloying sentimentality.
- 2Authenticity: Sappy can still be sincere and genuine, while mawkish suggests a lack of authenticity or emotional manipulation.
- 3Taste: Sappy is subjective and depends on personal taste, while mawkish is universally considered distasteful.
- 4Usage: Sappy is more commonly used in everyday language, while mawkish is less common and more likely to be encountered in literary or critical contexts.
Remember this!
Sappy and mawkish are synonyms that describe something that is excessively sentimental or emotional. However, sappy implies genuine sentimentality, while mawkish suggests insincerity or emotional manipulation. Sappy is more subjective and dependent on personal taste, while mawkish is universally considered distasteful. Sappy is more commonly used in everyday language, while mawkish is less common and more likely to be encountered in literary or critical contexts.
