mawkish

[ maw-kish ]

adjective

1. characterized by sickly sentimentality; weakly emotional; maudlin.

   Synonyms: teary, sentimental

2. having a mildly sickening flavor; slightly nauseating.

mawkish

/ ˈmɔːkɪʃ /

adjective

1. falsely sentimental, esp in a weak or maudlin way
2. nauseating or insipid in flavour, smell, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈmawkishness, noun
• ˈmawkishly, adverb

Other Words From

• mawkish·ly adverb
• mawkish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mawkish¹

1660–70; obsolete mawk maggot ( late Middle English < Old Norse mathkr maggot) + -ish ¹. See maggot

Word History and Origins

Origin of mawkish¹

C17: from obsolete mawk maggot + -ish

Example Sentences

The dialogue was more dignified: no brainless chatter or mawkish introductions.

From New York Times

Not to be mawkish, but one of the things I like about the show is that if I saw it when I was 18, I think I would’ve enjoyed it.

From Los Angeles Times

This dialogue verges on the mawkish: “What does hermaphrodite mean?”

From New York Times

“Hourglass” suffers for its sometimes mawkish language, places where Goddard reaches for earnestness but sounds insincere, or just immature.

From Los Angeles Times

It sounds mawkish, but the picture’s low-key vibe and offhand humor land with surprising grace.

From New York Times

Related Words

• cloying
• gooey
• maudlin
• mushy
• sappy
• sloppy
• teary