treacly

[ tree-klee ]

adjective

1. sentimental in a contrived or unrestrained way:

   The stories too often feature clichéd piffle and end with treacly flourishes.

2. British. resembling molasses mixed with corn syrup in taste, color, texture, etc.:

   The chestnut honey has a sweet, treacly taste with an earthy, nutty aroma.

   We spent a delicious hour inhaling the treacly light of late afternoon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of treacly¹

treacl(e) + -y ¹( def )

Example Sentences

But perhaps property values are just where the mind wanders when the story playing out is so treacly and stale.

From Los Angeles Times

The days of treacly language about "pro-life" policies have given way to yelling about how "childless cat ladies" must be stopped.

From Salon

Frank‘s and Charley‘s very different definitions of what constitutes a friend offers an astringent alternative to our culture’s sometimes treacly, overly simplistic portrayal of the bond.

From Los Angeles Times

Wielding a double-barreled shotgun in his review for The New York Times, the critic Stephen Holden dismissed Sparks’s book as “treacly” and called the film “a high-toned cinematic greeting card.”

From New York Times

Noses seep and floors are awash, the treacly ooze serving as both a coming-of-age symbol and a lubricant for a story whose misandry burns bright and hot.

From New York Times