Standard Lemma guide

bathetic

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /bəˈθɛtɪk/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Characterized by or pertaining to bathos.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: anticlimactic, banal, hammy, kitschy, bathetic, bromidic, cheesy, stock, clichéd, commonplace, corny, dog-eared, hackneyed, hoary, overdone, overused, overworked, pat, played out, shopworn, stale, threadbare, timeworn, tired, trite, warmed-over, well-worn, squishy, drippy, gooey, hokey, icky, kitsch, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, overemotional, oversentimental, overwrought, sappy, schmaltzy, sickly sweet, slushy, soppy, soupy, syrupy, treacly

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

effusively or insincerely emotional

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a bathetic novel
  • maudlin expressions of sympathy
  • mushy effusiveness
  • a schmaltzy song
  • sentimental soap operas
  • slushy poetry

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: drippy, hokey, maudlin, mawkish, kitschy, mushy, schmaltzy, schmalzy, sentimental, soppy, soupy, slushy

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From bathos + -etic, based on the form of pathos and pathetic.