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bathetic
IPA:
Dictionary definition of bathetic
Overly sentimental, mawkish, or trite, often in a way that is designed to evoke emotion but instead comes across as insincere or exaggerated.
"The soap opera's storyline was so bathetic that it was hard to take seriously."
Detailed meaning of bathetic
A bathetic statement or piece of writing often aims to elicit an emotional response from the reader or listener by using exaggerated or clichéd language that is typically associated with sentimental or melodramatic content. However, bathetic works often fail to achieve their desired effect because the language used is so contrived and unoriginal that it seems superficial and lacking in genuine emotion or depth. The term "bathetic" is often used to describe works of art, literature, or film that attempt to manipulate the audience's emotions in an overly simplistic or clichéd manner.
Example sentences containing bathetic
1. The love letter's language was bathetic and over-the-top.
2. The poet's use of bathetic imagery ruined the otherwise powerful poem.
3. The speech's bathetic language failed to inspire the audience.
4. The movie's ending was bathetic and unsatisfying.
5. The novel's bathetic plot twists made it hard to keep reading.
6. The painting's use of bathetic colors was unappealing.
History and etymology of bathetic
The adjective 'bathetic' derives its etymology from the Greek word 'bathos,' which means 'depth' or 'profound.' Originally, 'bathos' referred to a literary technique that involved sudden shifts from serious or elevated subjects to trivial or mundane ones, often for comedic effect. Over time, this term evolved to describe any work, whether literary or artistic, that exhibited a jarring and unintended descent from the sublime to the ridiculous, resulting in an overly sentimental, mawkish, or trite quality. In essence, 'bathetic' came to denote a form of insincere or exaggerated emotional manipulation, where attempts to evoke deep emotions end up feeling contrived and lacking in authenticity. Thus, the etymology of 'bathetic' is rooted in the concept of descending from profundity to shallowness, mirroring its modern usage.
Further usage examples of bathetic
1. The advertisement's bathetic music and voiceover were off-putting.
2. The singer's bathetic lyrics ruined the otherwise catchy song.
3. The play's bathetic dialogue made it hard to connect with the characters.
4. The sculpture's bathetic design lacked originality or depth.
5. The politician's bathetic promises failed to convince voters.
6. The movie's bathetic attempts at tearjerker moments left the audience cringing.
7. Her bathetic apology was met with skepticism, as it seemed rehearsed.
8. The bathetic love letter was filled with clichés and lacked genuine emotion.
9. The author's bathetic attempt at humor fell flat with the readers.
10. His bathetic speech tried too hard to tug at heartstrings, but it felt forced.
11. The bathetic ending of the novel disappointed those expecting a profound conclusion.
12. The bathetic commercials relied on sentimental music and predictable plots.
13. Her bathetic attempt at flattery was transparent and unconvincing.
14. The bathetic romance novel followed a formulaic plot.
15. The bathetic dialogue in the play made the characters seem insincere.
16. The bathetic song lyrics were criticized for their lack of originality.
17. The bathetic greeting card messages felt generic and impersonal.
18. His bathetic gestures of affection were met with indifference.
19. The bathetic movie soundtrack overused sentimental melodies.
20. The bathetic nature of their relationship made it difficult to take seriously.
21. The bathetic nature of the speech undermined its intended impact.
22. The bathetic storytelling style left the audience wanting more depth.
23. The bathetic attempt at a surprise party was spoiled by poor planning.
24. The bathetic plot twists in the novel were predictable and clichéd.
25. The bathetic sentimentality of the poem failed to move the reader.
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SAT 19 (Scholastic Assessment Test), Drama and Overreaction, Fake and Insincere
cheesy,cloying,corny,hackneyed,maudlin,melodramatic,overemotional,saccharine
Synonyms for bathetic
Quiz categories containing bathetic
sentimental, genuine, sincere, heartfelt
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