emotionalism

noun

Definition of emotionalismnext
as in emotionality

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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 emotionalism That form inflects the entire movie—the contours of its dramas, the style of the performances, the earnest emotionalism—while also embodying a noteworthy conceptual vision. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025 Simmons took that religious devotion to exercise, stripped away its grim asceticism and elitism, and imbued it with pure emotionalism and inclusivity. — Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024 There was a not-insignificant strain of complaint about Guardians 3 trading in its fun irreverence for goopy emotionalism and melodrama. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024 The group’s music attracts a loyal following with its soulful, spirited emotionalism. — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for emotionalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emotionalism
  1. emotionality
  2. sentimentality
  3. melodrama
  4. mawkishness
Noun
  • Despite the film’s slow-cinema touches, its storytelling structure and emotionality — even though muted and quiet — recall instead the melodrama at its most facile.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • Capturing the emotionality of the moment was paramount, and an especially incredible feat, considering Pfeiffer and her scene partner had never met before shooting.
    — Hilton Dresden, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Definition of emotionality
Noun
  • Only so many people on earth can afford these teams, and fewer still can stomach letting sentimentality govern a business worth billions.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In honor of the iconic series that ignited our hearts, summer romances and sentimentality for music, each character of the original film has been assigned to a zodiac sign.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of sentimentality
Noun
  • Many of today’s independent cinemas are being curated by a generation that grew up without theatrical access to Hong Kong action cinema, Filipino melodrama, or Taiwanese New Cinema.
    — José Salazar, IndieWire, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Inspired by the transient beauty of cherry blossoms, known in Japan as sakura — which is illustrated in their album cover, alongside a dark pegasus — much of the LP also hinges on melodrama.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of melodrama
Noun
  • These films explore those bonds without ever resorting to bromides or mawkishness.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Then things just unravel into a half-hour of thoroughly phony mawkishness.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of mawkishness

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emotional
emotionalism
emotionalist
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Cite this Entry

“Emotionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emotionalism. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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