Saccharine
Adjective
Definition: Overly sweet or sentimental in a way that is excessive or artificial.
Synonyms: Sugary, Syrupy, Cloying
Antonyms: Unsweetened, Bitter, Tart
Examples:
- The saccharine love scenes in the movie made me cringe.
- Her saccharine words of praise sounded insincere.
Mnemonics:
- Saccharine sounds like "sugar", which can help remember its meaning of being overly sweet.
Etymology:
Origin:
The word "saccharine" comes from the Latin word "saccharum," which means sugar or sweetness.
Historical Usage:The use of "saccharine" to describe something unpleasantly sweet or sentimental can be traced back to the late 19th century.
Related Idioms:
Idiom:
None identified
Explanation:Saccharine carries a connotation of artificiality or excessive sweetness, distinguishing it from simply "sweet."
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Saccharine refers to anything sweet, rather than specifically referring to something excessively sweet or sentimental.
Explanation:Saccharine carries a connotation of artificiality or excessive sweetness, distinguishing it from simply "sweet."