emotionalism

American  

[ih-moh-shuh-nl-iz-uhm] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nlˈɪz əm /

noun

1. excessively emotional character.

   the emotionalism of sentimental fiction.

2. strong or excessive appeal to the emotions.

   the emotionalism of patriotic propaganda.

3. a tendency to display or respond with undue emotion, especially morbid emotion.

4. unwarranted expression or display of emotion.

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emotionalism British  

/ ɪˈməʊʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. emotional nature, character, or quality

2. a tendency to yield readily to the emotions

3. an appeal to the emotions, esp an excessive appeal, as to an audience

4. a doctrine stressing the value of deeply felt responses in ethics and the arts

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Other Word Forms

• emotionalist noun
• emotionalistic adjective
• nonemotionalism noun

Etymology

Origin of emotionalism

First recorded in 1860–65; emotional + -ism

Example Sentences

Reagan’s statements were similar to JFK’s in that they were rhetorically disciplined—no breast beating, no emotionalism, just the facts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

In the new revival of Eugene O’Neill’s “Anna Christie” at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, she gets to display not only her patented emotionalism but also a strategic restraint that keeps every option open.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

For that reason, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the rootsy 27-year-old singer-songwriter Noah Kahan accept the award, even if his yelpy emotionalism isn’t exactly my thing.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2024

It is based not just on extreme authority and emotionalism, but a cultivation and worship of the Irrational.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2023

However few people can successfully demonstrate a principle in common ethics when their deliberation is festered with emotionalism.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• attitude
• bias
• feeling
• idea
• opinion
• passion
• position
• tendency
• thought
• view