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Definition of sentimentalize

sentimentalize

/ˌsɛn.tɪˈmɛn.tə.laɪz/
(UK: sentimentalise)
sen · ti · men · tal · ize
Adverb:sentimentally
•
Adjective:sentimental
•
Past Simple:sentimentalized
•
Past Participle:sentimentalized
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Present Participle:sentimentalizing
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sentimentalize Lexical Profile

sentimentalize Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To regard, portray, or treat someone or something in an overly nostalgic, tender, or emotional manner, often obscuring harsh realities.

Example

"The biographer was careful not to sentimentalize the artist's difficult childhood in rural poverty."

2

To indulge in or express excessive, maudlin, or superficial emotion and nostalgia.

Example

"Rather than sentimentalize over the past, the committee focused on practical solutions for preserving the historic neighborhood."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sentimentalize

• Rhymes for sentimentalize

• Nearby Words

sentimentalist
sentimentality
sentimentalization
sentimentalize
sentimentally
sentinel
sentry

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 18th century from the adjective 'sentimental' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize', ultimately tracing back to the Medieval Latin 'sentimentum' (feeling or opinion) and the Latin verb 'sentire' (to feel or perceive).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sentimentalize. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sentimentalize
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