In an overly sentimental way (9) - Crossword Clue
Answer: CLOYINGLY
Understanding the Word CLOYINGLY
- CLOYINGLY (adverb) describes doing something in a manner that is excessively sweet, sentimental, or rich to the point of being disgusting or unpleasant.
- When something is done cloyingly, it overwhelms with sugary sentiment until it provokes discomfort rather than delight.
- The excessive sentimentality becomes its own undoing—what should warm the heart instead turns the stomach.
Related Crossword Answers and Synonyms
- MUSHILY - In an excessively sentimental or soft manner
- SOPPILY - In an overly emotional or sentimental way (British English)
- SCHMALZY - In an excessively sentimental or corny manner (variant spelling)
Expert Crossword Solving Tips
- Pattern Recognition Strategy: When you see "in an overly [adjective] way" in a crossword clue, immediately think of adverbs ending in -LY.
- This grammatical pattern appears frequently in crossword puzzles because it creates predictable letter patterns.
- The letters L-Y at the end give you two confirmed positions, helping you work backward through the word.
- Context Clues from Intersecting Words: Use your crossing answers to confirm CLOYINGLY.
- The letter Y in position 9 is relatively uncommon for word endings beyond -LY adverbs. If your vertical words suggest Y in that final position, you're likely on the right track.
- The double L in positions 2 and 8 also creates distinctive patterns.
In an overly sentimental way (9) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Is there a difference between "cloyingly" and "sentimentally"?
A: Yes! "Sentimentally" simply means in an emotional or nostalgic manner—it's neutral or even positive. "Cloyingly" specifically means excessively, unpleasantly, or sickeningly sentimental. The word carries a negative connotation that implies the sentiment has gone too far and become distasteful.
Q: Can "cloyingly" be used for things besides emotions?
A: Absolutely! While often applied to overly sentimental behavior, "cloyingly" describes anything excessively sweet—particularly food and beverages. A dessert can be cloyingly sugary, a perfume cloyingly floral, or music cloyingly saccharine. The common thread is always unpleasant excess.
Q: What's the difference between "cloyingly" and "mawkishly"?
A: These near-synonyms have subtle distinctions. "Mawkishly" emphasizes sickliness and falseness in sentiment—there's often an element of insincerity. "Cloyingly" focuses more on overwhelming excess that surfeits, like overindulging in sweets. Both suggest unpleasant sentimentality, but with slightly different flavors of distaste.
