Shmaltz (Noun)
Meaning
(Yiddish) excessive sentimentality in art or music.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The movie's overly dramatic ending was pure shmaltz, making the audience roll their eyes in disgust.
- Her novel was full of shmaltz, replete with clichéd love scenes and tear-jerking plot twists.
- The crooner's hit single was a perfect example of shmaltz, with its saccharine lyrics and swooning ballad melody.
- Critics accused the filmmaker of relying on shmaltz to tug at the audience's heartstrings instead of developing genuine characters.
- The pop star's latest video was awash in shmaltz, featuring orphaned puppies and sunsets to tug at viewers' heartstrings.