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
Relevance
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
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 27 June 2025
Unfortunately, everything else in this misadventure, from annoying love interests to cloying sidekicks, is a minecart going off the rails.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 June 2025
The Jeju Island firefly forest sequence is staged ingeniously in the show, but this song is cloying twee rather than funny, sprightly twee or the classic-sounding crooning of the show’s Gil Brentley numbers.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 June 2025
This is a dessert bourbon in all the right ways — rich, warm, and indulgent, but never cloying.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Verb
The black cherry note is rich and juicy without being cloying, and the bergamot and Calabrian lemon add this gorgeous sparkle that keeps things from getting too heavy.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 27 June 2025
Unfortunately, everything else in this misadventure, from annoying love interests to cloying sidekicks, is a minecart going off the rails.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 June 2025
The Jeju Island firefly forest sequence is staged ingeniously in the show, but this song is cloying twee rather than funny, sprightly twee or the classic-sounding crooning of the show’s Gil Brentley numbers.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 June 2025
This is a dessert bourbon in all the right ways — rich, warm, and indulgent, but never cloying.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
-
The funny thing is, by all accounts, Zaslav is also genuinely sentimental about the network and said to even have it on at his office quite often.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
9 July 2025
-
The luxury label’s classic products—often resold or passed down through generations—gain sentimental and financial value over time, per the report.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
According to Hardy, this cream’s only downside is that the texture feels a bit sticky.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
-
Meteorologists previously used dew-point averages to calculate the start of the monsoon, a better reflection of when sticky, storm-ready air actually arrives.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Despite climbing home prices, mortgage rates have recently reported weeks of declines and inventory is growing in many parts of the country, alleviating the shortage of homes and forcing sellers to slash prices to attract still-cautious buyers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
But aside from a desire for revenge against Israel and remaining the primary power broker in Gaza, Hamas has consistently struggled to articulate an achievable long-term strategy for alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.—
Mkhaimar Abusada,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Some of it is good, but a lot of it is sloppy, outdated or full of vulnerabilities.—
Jimmie Lee,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Hein was sloppy, lazy and showed a lack of impartiality in dealing with him, Hicks said in his filing.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Archway Homes will buy the home and make the repairs needed, relieving the sellers of the hassle and expense.—
Archway Homes,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Xylitol may have other health benefits, including preventing ear and sinus infections, increasing bone density, and relieving constipation.—
Adrienne Dellwo,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The color palettes popular after pandemic shutdowns were vivid, bright and almost saccharine.—
Hannah Vanbiber,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
There is always the wide-brim sun hat, which brings a real level of drama and panache to every occasion—and can be subverted from its saccharine ways—just look at how Alessandro Michele paired his at Valentino with a pair of groovy trousers and an opulent cropped jacket on the runway.—
Laia Garcia-Furtado,
Vogue,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share