What does sentimentalise mean?
Sentimentalise means to treat a person, event, place, or period as more emotional, romantic, or nostalgic than it may actually have been. It often implies that someone is colouring an account with idealized memories, sentimentality, or exaggerated affection. The verb is frequently used in criticism of films, biographies, nostalgia, and popular accounts of the past: a work may be said to sentimentalise childhood, a historical period, or a particular relationship. The word is not always hostile, since artists and speakers may intentionally emphasise tenderness or nostalgia, but it commonly draws attention to a possible lack of balance or historical accuracy. British, Australian, and New Zealand speakers generally write sentimentalise, whereas the usual North American spelling is sentimentalize.
verbTo regard or represent something as sentimental, especially with exaggerated emotion or nostalgia. It can also mean to give something an overly emotional or romantic character.
- To regard or describe something in an emotional, nostalgic, or romantic way, often with undue emphasis.
- To make something seem more emotional, moving, or nostalgic than it really is.
"The film sentimentalises the village's past, overlooking the hardships that once shaped it."
"Her diary sentimentalises family life and leaves out the disagreements that were part of it."
"The novel sentimentalises the seaside town as a place untouched by modern life."
Sometimes a memory is precious; sentimentalising it is something else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sentimentalise come from?
The verb was formed from sentiment, which comes through French from Latin sentire, meaning “to feel.” The suffix -ise, widely used in British English to form verbs, was added during the 19th century. The related noun sentiment and adjective sentimental developed from the same source, while resentment also ultimately traces back to Latin sentire.
Related word forms
How sentimentalise is actually used
The verb often carries a mildly critical connotation, suggesting that nostalgia or emotional appeal has distorted the original subject. It is common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, while North American English normally uses the spelling sentimentalize.
Easily confused with sentimentalise
Sentimental describes a quality, whereas sentimentalise is the verb for treating something as excessively emotional or nostalgic.