Maudlinness can refer to an excessive display of emotions that may come across as sentimental or overly dramatic. Synonyms for this term include sentimentality, melodrama, pathos, bathos, mawkishness, and sappiness. These terms describe a tendency towards exaggerated displays of emotions that can be perceived as insincere or over the top. Other related terms include schmaltz and corniness, which refer to similarly cloying or sentimental expressions. While these terms can have negative connotations, they can also be used positively to describe art or literature that elicits powerful emotions in the reader or viewer.