Sappiness

Sappiness refers to the quality of being excessively sentimental or emotional, often associated with an overwhelming or overly sweet expression of feelings, typically in literature or communication. It can also relate to the literal presence of sap as found in trees. The term has a negative connotation when used to criticize something that lacks depth or authenticity in emotional impact.

Sappiness meaning with examples

• During the movie, the sappiness of the love scenes felt overwhelming, leaving many viewers tearing up not from genuine emotion but from a sense of being emotionally manipulated. Each overly sentimental moment seemed to drag on longer than necessary, diluting the film's overall impact. While some might enjoy such displays of emotion, others felt it crossed the line into forced territory.
• The sappiness in her poetry was unmistakable, as she poured her heart out in grandiose metaphors and excessive declarations of love. While some readers found beauty in her deep emotional expressions, others critiqued her work as lacking in substance. Instead of resonating universally, it appealed primarily to those who appreciated a flair for the romantic and sentimental.
• At his wedding, the sappiness of the toast was evident when the best man recounted years of friendship with tearful exaggeration. While the heartfelt stories could have stood well on their own, the overly sentimental tone risked detracting from the joy of the occasion. Guests chuckled uncomfortably at the climactic moment, questioning whether it had all been genuine or part of a theatrical performance.
• The novel was criticized for its sappiness, with reviewers noting that the characters often expressed their feelings in clichéd and exaggerated ways. While it attempted to delve into the complexities of love and loss, the overabundance of heartfelt declarations detracted from the authenticity. Many readers sought a more realistic portrayal of relationships, feeling that the sappy moments overshadowed the storyline.