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Synonyms

mushy

American  
[muhsh-ee, moosh-ee] / ˈmʌʃ i, ˈmʊʃ i /

adjective

mushier, mushiest

  1. resembling mush; pulpy.

  2. Informal. overly emotional or sentimental.

    mushy love letters.
mushy British  
/ ˈmʌʃɪ /

adjective

  1. soft and pulpy

  2. informal excessively sentimental or emotional

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • mushily adverb
  • mushiness noun

Etymology

Origin of mushy

First recorded in 1830–40; mush 1 + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The classic recipe for fish and chips -- white fish deep-fried in batter, chips, and mushy peas, often with tartare sauce on the side -- dates back to the 1860s.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

A stronger hand in the edit could have resulted in something more dynamic and engaging, but the plotting is mushy and then rushed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Fans could buy stuffed toy versions of items like fish, chips and mushy peas at a temporary shop at the department store Selfridges in London.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

Take care when combining the rice, lentils and pasta: The mix should be loose and textured, not mushy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

We sloshed across mushy ground, through nasty twisted trees that smelled like sour laundry.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.