as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
the cloying sentiments of so many Mother's Day cards
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Recent Examples of cloying
Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025
Thick, deeply flavorful and less cloying than the original, this vegan rendition ($9) uses Shields’s date crystals, chewy pieces of fresh date, soy ice cream and banana.
—Freda Moon, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Try a Rice Krispie Treat with sesame and brown butter paired with a Brut-style Champagne — the acidity of the Champagne will cut through the cloying sweetness.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Future Disney Channel star Brandon Baker plays Mowgli, in a cloying, awkward performance that fits with the hacky sitcom writing.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
Similar to Glinda Pink, this specific shade of pink is soft, light, and romantic—but not too cloying.
—Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025
Thick, deeply flavorful and less cloying than the original, this vegan rendition ($9) uses Shields’s date crystals, chewy pieces of fresh date, soy ice cream and banana.
—Freda Moon, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Try a Rice Krispie Treat with sesame and brown butter paired with a Brut-style Champagne — the acidity of the Champagne will cut through the cloying sweetness.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Future Disney Channel star Brandon Baker plays Mowgli, in a cloying, awkward performance that fits with the hacky sitcom writing.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Fresnel was feeling sentimental about the full-circle moment for her fledgling brand, which takes its inspiration from a ‘borrowed from the boys’ type vibe.—
Freya Drohan,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2025
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This Earth sign is also ruled by Venus, and the King is equally sentimental and passionate, believing in love at first sight.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Concerns around sticky inflation and rising global tensions remain, and, what’s more, other growing threats such as the ballooning U.S. deficit, and the protectionist rhetoric around tariffs, have central banks around the world looking for alternatives.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
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The drug was the latest in a series of medications designed to clear the brain of beta-amyloid, which forms the sticky plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Research — a survey of 109 CEOs of major Canadian organizations, complemented by in-depth qualitative interviews with 46 of them — suggests six strategies for alleviating loneliness that leaders can employ.—
Alaric Bourgoin,
Sarah L. Wright,
Jean-François Harvey,
Saouré Kouamé,
Harvard Business Review,
23 Dec. 2024
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Much of this latest round of donations went to organizations focused on alleviating poverty, Scott wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The first half was sloppy for both teams as the two totaled nine turnovers each.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
1 Mar. 2025
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The complaint filed by five labor unions and five nonprofit organizations is among multiple lawsuits pushing back on the administration's efforts to vastly shrink the federal workforce, which Trump has called bloated and sloppy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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The fragrance opens with a playful dance of marshmallow sweetness, brightened by unexpected touches of lemon and peach skin that keep it from being too saccharine.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
17 Jan. 2025
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Comments For folks with a sweet tooth for saccharine love stories, Nicholas Sparks movie adaptations hit the spot — most of the time.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to cloying
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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