Word: maudlin (adjective)

Associations

"Maudlin" describes someone who is overly emotional, especially in a way that seems silly or exaggerated, often because they are sad or drunk.

• When someone cries a lot over a small problem, you can say they are being maudlin.
• In movies, a character who becomes very sentimental and cries easily might be described as maudlin.
• After drinking too much, people sometimes become maudlin, talking about their feelings in a dramatic way. A well-known synonym is "sentimental," but "maudlin" usually has a negative tone, meaning the emotion is too much or not sincere.

Substitution

Instead of "maudlin," you could say:

• overly sentimental (less negative, more neutral)
• tearful (focuses on crying)
• mushy (more informal, casual) Using "maudlin" suggests a bit of exaggeration or silliness in the emotion, while "sentimental" can be more genuine.

Deconstruction

"Maudlin" comes from the name "Magdalene," referring to Mary Magdalene, who was often shown crying in old stories and paintings. Over time, "maudlin" started to mean being tearfully emotional or overly sentimental.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you or someone else acted maudlin? What caused those feelings?
• How do you feel when someone is maudlin? Does it seem genuine or too much?
• Can you describe a situation where being a little emotional is good, but being maudlin would be too much?