maudlinness

8.4

A feeling of being too sad and emotional, often after drinking

noun
/ˈmɔːdlɪnəs/

: melancolía

It is these dual preoccupations of compassion and sincerity that have permitted otherwise dignified modern people to slip into maudlinness over not only other people's troubles but their own.

Examples

After a few drinks, his maudlinness made him start crying about old friendships.
As for Gore, his outburst of maudlinness was reportedly intended (on the recommendation of Dick Morris) to enhance his reputation as a caring person rather than a stiff one.

Academic text (1997)
Her maudlinness during the movie made everyone uncomfortable as she sobbed loudly.
The speech was filled with maudlinness, leading the audience to feel both touched and awkward.

Synonyms

sentimentality

vsmaudlinness

17 5.5

A way of showing too much emotion that seems false

is more tearful and sometimes alcohol related rather than broad emotional excess

schmaltz

vsmaudlinness

4 9.5

An overly emotional style in art like songs or films

is more tearful and sometimes alcohol fueled rather than artistic sentimental excess

emotionalism

vsmaudlinness

4 7.3

The act of showing very strong feelings, often more than needed

is more tearful and often alcohol related rather than broadly forceful emotional display

sentimentalism

vsmaudlinness

1 7.9

A tendency to show too much tender or nostalgic feeling about the past

is more tearful and sometimes caused by alcohol rather than general nostalgic feeling

sloppiness

vsmaudlinness

1 5.4

Too much emotion that seems false

is more tearful and sometimes caused by alcohol rather than messy sentiment

mawkishness

vsmaudlinness

1 9.5

A feeling of too much fake emotion that seems overly sweet

is more tearful and sometimes linked to alcohol rather than sickly sweetness

sappiness

vsmaudlinness

Informal

1 6.3

Being too emotional in a way that seems not sincere

is more tearful and sometimes influenced by alcohol rather than basic sweetness

lugubriousness

vsmaudlinness

Literature

1 9.9

Being very sad in a way that seems fake

is more tearful and sentimental sometimes alcohol linked rather than gloomy sorrow

drippiness

vsmaudlinness

9.6

A feeling that is too emotional and seems false

is more tearful and sometimes influenced by alcohol instead of sugary sentiment

mushiness

vsmaudlinness

7.7

Being overly emotional in a way that seems not sincere

is more tearful and sometimes influenced by alcohol rather than soft fake feeling

shmaltz

vsmaudlinness

Informal

9.9

Too much emotion in art or music that feels overdone

is more tearful and sometimes alcohol inspired rather than artistic clichéd feeling

weepiness

vsmaudlinness

6.1

A feeling that makes someone want to cry

is more about sentimental affected sadness and sometimes alcohol influenced rather than mere crying

tearfulness

vsmaudlinness

4.3

A feeling of having many tears and wanting to cry because of sadness

is more sentimental often insincere and sometimes caused by alcohol rather than simple crying

Antonyms

seriousness

53 2.7

A calm and honest way of speaking or acting that shows you mean what you say

How Sentimental

maudlinness

8.4

sentimentality

17 5.5

reserve

9 5.2

Surface Forms

maudlinness singular

maudlinnesses plural

Morphology

maudlinness = maudlin (semi-transparent) = maudlin + ness

Formation from the adjective 'maudlin' to a noun by adding the productive suffix '-ness' is regular and predictable.

Etymology

Maudlinness comes from the name Mary Magdalene, who in old stories was shown weeping, and over time her name turned into maudlin to mean 'tearful' or 'overly sentimental'. So maudlinness is the quality of being 'too sad or sentimental', sometimes used when someone seems overly emotional or drunk.