Bathetic is a word that is often used to describe something that is overly sentimental or melodramatic. It is a term that is often used in literature or film to describe a scene or moment that is meant to be emotional but falls flat.
Definitions
The term bathetic can be defined as a sudden shift from the sublime to the ridiculous, or an anticlimax that leaves the reader or viewer feeling disappointed. It can also be used to describe something that is overly sentimental or maudlin.
Origin
The word bathetic comes from the Greek word bathos, which means “depth.” It was first used in English in the mid-18th century to describe a sudden drop in emotion or tone in a literary work.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, bathetic means “producing an unintentional effect of anticlimax, often by an abrupt transition from a lofty or emotional to a commonplace or trivial theme.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “marked by triteness or sentimentalism.”
Associations
Bathetic is often associated with works of art or literature that try too hard to be emotional or profound. It is also associated with moments in films or TV shows that are meant to be dramatic but come across as cheesy or over-the-top.
Synonyms
Synonyms for bathetic include maudlin, sentimental, trite, and melodramatic.
Antonyms
Antonyms for bathetic include profound, moving, powerful, and impactful.
The same root words
Bathetic comes from the Greek word bathos, which means “depth.” Other words that come from this root include bathometer (an instrument for measuring depth), bathysphere (a deep-sea diving vessel), and batholith (a large igneous intrusion).
Example Sentences
- The movie’s attempt at a heart-wrenching scene was so bathetic that it left the audience laughing instead of crying.
- The novel’s ending was a complete bathos, with the main character dying in a ridiculous and unbelievable manner.
- The speech started off with a lot of promise, but it quickly descended into bathetic sentimentality that left the audience feeling bored and uninspired.