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 situation or behavior that is cloying or saccharine.
- Describing something that is excessively sentimental or melodramatic. - Referring to a story, movie, or song that is overly emotional or maudlin. - Talking about a situation or behavior that is exaggerated or insincere.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is overly sentimental or emotional.
- 2Both words can be used to describe movies, stories, songs, or behavior.
- 3Both words have negative connotations and imply a lack of authenticity or sincerity.
What is the difference?
- 1Tone: Sappy has a more neutral tone and can be used to describe something that is simply too sentimental. Schmaltzy has a more negative tone and implies that something is not only overly sentimental but also insincere or exaggerated.
- 2Usage: Sappy is more commonly used in American English, while schmaltzy is more commonly used in British English.
- 3Connotation: Sappy is associated with sweetness or romance, while schmaltzy is associated with melodrama or sentimentality.
- 4Intensity: Sappy can be used to describe something that is mildly sentimental, while schmaltzy implies an excessive or extreme level of sentimentality.
Remember this!
Sappy and schmaltzy are synonyms that describe something that is overly sentimental or emotional. However, sappy has a more neutral tone and can be used to describe something that is simply too sentimental, while schmaltzy has a more negative tone and implies that something is not only overly sentimental but also insincere or exaggerated. Additionally, sappy is more commonly used in American English, while schmaltzy is more commonly used in British English.
