Definition

In a way that is overly sentimental or emotional, often to the point of being sickening or insincere.

Example

The movie was criticized for its mawkishly sentimental ending that left many viewers rolling their eyes.

Conversation

Have you seen that new romantic movie everyone is talking about?

Yeah, I watched it last night; it was a bit too mawkishly sweet for my taste.

I thought so too! Some parts felt really overdone.

Exactly! I prefer films with more depth and less cheesy sentiment.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mawkishly → It is formed from "mawkish" (from Middle English *mawkish*, meaning overly sentimental or sickly) and the suffix "-ly" (meaning in a manner of). The word "mawkishly" means in a manner that is overly sentimental or sickly sweet.

Memory Tip

Think of someone being overly sentimental or sickly sweet ('mawkish') and how they act 'in that manner' ('-ly'). This helps you remember that 'mawkishly' describes that kind of behavior.

Visually Confused Words