moan without illness; sentimental affectation
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesidiom
to moan without being ill; to make a fuss about nothing; to complain without cause
neutralDescribes someone who complains, sighs, or expresses suffering excessively when there are no real problems. Often carries a critical or slightly derogatory tone.
He moans all day about nothing, sighing over the slightest thing.
Stop complaining all day long and pull yourself together to face reality!
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This attitude of making a fuss about nothing annoys his colleagues very much.
idiom
(of literary or artistic works) to be artificial and sentimental; lacking genuine emotion; affected
formalA critical term used to describe creative works that are overly sentimental, pretentious, or artificial rather than sincere and authentic.
This poem seems somewhat artificial and sentimental, lacking genuine emotional experience.
I don't like those arty films that are sentimental and affected; they always feel pretentious to me.
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This article reads like sentimental posturing, lacking the genuine emotion that would move readers.
Good poetry should come from the heart, not be artificial and sentimental.