as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way the cloying sentiments of so many Mother's Day cards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cloying
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025 Mocha landed on the more cloying end and the Salted Caramel much more reminiscent of asking your barista to add just one or two flavor shots. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025 His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device). —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking. —Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
And lest the moment lean too cloying or sentimental, this shot’s earnestness is undercut with a playful wink. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025 Mocha landed on the more cloying end and the Salted Caramel much more reminiscent of asking your barista to add just one or two flavor shots. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025 His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device). —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking. —Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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Welsh has a distinct desire to stay away from sappy and sentimental, too tidy for such a messy story.— Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
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In April, don’t miss the rollout of Mother’s Day cards, from funny and quirky to sweet and sentimental.— Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Avoid saturating the mattress — over-wetting is one of the most common mistakes people make, and excess moisture trapped inside the mattress can lead to mold growth, creating an entirely new allergen problem.— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
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Avoid puddling or saturating the soil.— David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As the smell intensified, Lina crossed to the front door of her apartment, undid the lock, and yanked the sticky door open.— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
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On immediate application, the product comfortably clings to lips without feeling sticky or heavy.— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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China reported higher producer prices for the first time since 2022, alleviating fears of persistent deflation in the world’s second-biggest economy, but driving concerns of a global wave of inflation resulting from the Iran war.— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
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The good news is that the upcoming rain will push back the start of this year’s high fire season, alleviating some concerns following the recent record-breaking heat wave.— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The watery consommé subsumed what few masa dumplings swam their lonesome swirls in the bowl, with cobs of corn left like derelict buoys in the sloppy orange miasma.— Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
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Every league has flaws, but the NBA stands out for how often blowouts, injuries, and sloppy play dominate the product.— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Supporters’ contributions help change students’ lives by relieving financial burdens, augmenting the resources that support student learning inside and outside the classroom, the release said.— Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
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It’s designed to mimic the feeling of a luxury hotel bed, per the brand, with a soft and breathable pillow top, targeted back support, and a pressure-relieving core that contours to your body.— Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Upon first spritz, the perfume bursts with caramel, coconut, and vanilla, balanced by fresh citrus to prevent it from becoming saccharine sweet.— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026
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Understanding that children, not adults, were the target demographic for these saccharine cereals, the company kicked colorful branding and advertising into high gear.— Heather Bushman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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