sentimentality crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on the 'sentimentality crossword clue', you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of potential answers, organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "sentimentality crossword clue" by Letter Count
6 Letters
PATHOS: A quality that evokes pity or sadness, often with a touching or moving effect. It can be a component of sentimentality.
9 Letters
NOSTALGIA: A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past.
SOAPINESS: A less common but apt term implying an overly emotional or melodramatic quality, reminiscent of 'soap operas'.
11 Letters
MAWKISHNESS: Excessive and often cloying sentimentality, frequently to the point of being unpleasant or nauseating.
More About "sentimentality crossword clue"
The concept of 'sentimentality' in crosswords often points to words that describe an excessive display of tender, romantic, or nostalgic feelings. While genuine emotion is natural, sentimentality usually implies an indulgence in feelings for their own sake, often without real depth or sincerity, or an exaggerated expression of them. Common synonyms or related ideas that might appear as clues include 'mawkish', 'cloying', 'sappy', 'mushy', or even 'pathos' when the context leans towards evoking pity or sadness.
When encountering this clue, consider the tone it implies. Is it positive, neutral, or slightly negative? Words like PATHOS can be neutral or positive, describing an evocative quality, whereas MAWKISHNESS carries a strong negative connotation, implying insincerity or excessive sweetness. Understanding these nuances is key to selecting the correct answer based on the available letters and intersecting words in your crossword grid.
Looking at the length of the required answer is also a major hint. A short answer might be a more general term like PATHOS, while a longer one is more likely to be a specific, nuanced form of sentimentality such as NOSTALGIA or MAWKISHNESS, which precisely capture a particular flavor of feeling.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Letter Length: Always check the number of boxes provided for the answer. This is your primary filter for potential solutions.
- Look for Synonyms and Antonyms: Crossword constructors often use synonyms, antonyms (with "not" or "lacking"), or closely related concepts. Think broadly around the clue's meaning.
- Check Intersecting Letters: If you have a few letters already filled in from other clues, use them to narrow down the possibilities. This is often the quickest way to confirm an answer.
- Identify Wordplay or Puns: Some clues use wordplay, puns, or double meanings. Read the clue carefully for any hidden twists.
- Context is Key: Is the puzzle themed? Are there other clues that might hint at a specific type of language or field (e.g., literature, music, science)?
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'sentimentality' mean in a crossword context?
In a crossword, 'sentimentality' typically refers to the quality of being overly emotional or tender, often in a nostalgic, romantic, or tearful way. Clues might hint at this with words like 'mawkish', 'cloying', 'mushy', or 'tender feeling'.
How can I distinguish between similar crossword answers like 'Pathos' and 'Mawkishness'?
'Pathos' generally refers to a quality that evokes sincere pity or sadness, often with artistic merit. 'Mawkishness', on the other hand, implies an excessive, sickly, or insincere sentimentality. The key is often in the nuance of the clue – if it suggests a negative or over-the-top emotion, 'mawkishness' is more likely.
Why are there multiple answers for one crossword clue?
Crossword clues can often have multiple valid answers depending on the number of letters required for the specific grid. Different synonyms or related concepts might fit the same clue but vary in length. It's important to check the letter count and any intersecting letters you might already have in your puzzle.