1
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a sappy letter filled with silly romantic clichés
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
a sappy plan to try to get her divorced parents back together again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sappy
Without succumbing to a sappy ending, Reza makes a strong case for valuing relationships over intellectual homogeneity — an outlook that can feel either naïve or hopeful in polarizing times.
—
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
This has reflected neither sappy altruism nor cynical neoimperialism but an understanding that in the modern world, economics and security need to be handled at something beyond the national level.
—Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2025
Hardly a masterpiece and certainly not a sappy, populist embarrassment, The Shawshank Redemption is simply a solid, good movie — an assessment that will probably annoy people in both camps.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Into a routine casting call one afternoon walks Michael, an Ohio ice-cream truck driver effusing sappy memories of watching the series every morning with his family over bacon and eggs.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for sappy
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
This has reflected neither sappy altruism nor cynical neoimperialism but an understanding that in the modern world, economics and security need to be handled at something beyond the national level.
—Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2025
Hardly a masterpiece and certainly not a sappy, populist embarrassment, The Shawshank Redemption is simply a solid, good movie — an assessment that will probably annoy people in both camps.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
Into a routine casting call one afternoon walks Michael, an Ohio ice-cream truck driver effusing sappy memories of watching the series every morning with his family over bacon and eggs.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for sappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sappy
Adjective
-
Her voice unleashes a sentimental whirlpool of longing, betrayal, and post-breakup rage without a hint of irony.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
-
At the time, the New York Giants star posted a sentimental social media tribute in honor of the occasion.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Go through a corn maze, sip on apple cider, and take silly pictures with the cardboard cutouts.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This separation keeps parents' Discover Weekly and Wrapped playlists clean from unexpected surprises like a sudden obsession with gaming soundtracks or silly meme songs.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Cabana’s greasy floor was sticky under her bare feet.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The fruit flies are attracted to them and get stuck on the sticky glue.—
Emma Ashe,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And that’s a stupid, dumb, mindless question.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Dessert Week is the stupidest week, at least conceptually.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Skin-tight is out, baggy is in, and these buttery-soft pieces prove that comfort doesn’t have to equal sloppy.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
-
These records aren’t sloppy mistakes—they’re the default behavior of most agentic AI systems.—
Keivan Navaie,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The offer valued Alchemize at $2 million, well below Nazareth’s goal, but investor Daymond John suggested the founder would be foolish to walk away from a chance to partner with three Sharks.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.—
Yolande Clark-Jackson,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The film’s ever-so-slightly absurd sincerity is nothing if not brazen.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Conceptions of world geography at the time were faulty to an almost absurd extent, Bergreen said.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
People were making all these crazy comments.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers are only a few wins away from winning back-to-back titles despite the crazy year the team has had.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sappy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share