mawkish crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "mawkish crossword clue", you've come to the right place. We provide comprehensive answers for all word lengths, complete with explanations to help you understand and improve your crossword skills.
Solutions for "mawkish crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
MUSHY: Excessively sentimental or emotional.
7 Letters
MAUDLIN: Excessively sentimental, often in a self-pitying way.
CLOYING: Excessively sweet or sentimental, to the point of being sickening.
10 Letters
SACCHARINE: Excessively sweet or sentimental.
11 Letters
SENTIMENTAL: Of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, typically in an exaggerated or self-indulgent way.
More About "mawkish crossword clue"
"Mawkish" is a word often used to describe something that is excessively sentimental, often to the point of being sickeningly sweet or insincere. When it appears in a crossword clue, the constructors are typically looking for a synonym that conveys this sense of exaggerated emotion or saccharine quality. Common answers will lean into terms that highlight this overly emotional or sweet characteristic, sometimes with a negative connotation.
Understanding the nuance of "mawkish" is key. It's not just "emotional" or "sweet," but rather "too emotional" or "too sweet," implying a lack of genuine feeling or an attempt to manipulate emotions. This makes synonyms like MAUDLIN, CLOYING, and SACCHARINE excellent fits, as they all carry this specific negative overtone of excessive sentimentality that can be off-putting.
Crossword puzzles frequently use words like "mawkish" to test a solver's vocabulary depth and ability to discern subtle differences in meaning among synonyms. Being familiar with the various terms for overly sentimental or sickly-sweet emotions will greatly assist in solving such clues quickly and accurately.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Nuance: For clues like "mawkish," always think about the exact shade of meaning. Is it just sad, or excessively and perhaps insincerely sad? This helps narrow down synonyms.
- Check Letter Count: Once you have a few potential answers in mind, immediately check how many letters they have. This is often the quickest way to confirm or rule out an option.
- Look for Crossings: If you're stuck, fill in any crossing letters from other solved clues. Even one letter can often reveal the correct answer for a tricky word like a synonym for "mawkish."
- Think of Opposites: Sometimes, understanding what a word is NOT can help. What's the opposite of mawkish? Perhaps stoic or unsentimental. This can sometimes trigger related vocabulary.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'mawkish' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'mawkish' typically refers to something excessively sentimental or saccharine, often to an off-putting or sickly-sweet degree. Look for synonyms like 'maudlin', 'cloying', 'mushy', or 'schmaltzy'.
Are there common patterns or hints for 'mawkish' clues?
Clues for 'mawkish' often use phrases like 'sickly sentimental', 'overly emotional', 'insincerely sweet', or 'gooey'. Pay attention to any indication of excess or negativity in the sentiment described.
Why are there multiple answers for 'mawkish crossword clue'?
Crossword clues can have multiple valid answers due to synonyms, varying nuances of meaning, or different puzzle constructors' interpretations. The correct answer depends on the number of letters required and the surrounding crossing words in your specific puzzle.