sentimentality
UK: ˌsen.tɪ.menˈtæl.ə.ti | US: ˌsen.t̬ə.menˈtæl.ə.t̬i
n. excessive or exaggerated emotional sensitivity, especially in a way that seems insincere or overly nostalgic.
The word "sentimentality" traces back to the Latin sentire (to feel), which evolved into the French sentiment (emotion or opinion). The suffix -al (from Latin -alis) turns "sentiment" into an adjective, and -ity (from Latin -itas) nominalizes it, creating a noun meaning "the quality of being emotionally excessive." The term emerged in the 18th century, reflecting Romanticism's focus on heightened emotions, often with a pejorative connotation of artificiality.
The film's clichéd ending crossed into sentimentality, losing its emotional impact.
Her letters were filled with sentimentality about their childhood.
Critics dismissed the novel as mere sentimentality lacking depth.
He avoided sentimentality in his speech, opting for straightforward honesty.
The old photographs evoked a wave of sentimentality in her.