What term describes something that is overly sweet?

The term "saccharine" is commonly used to describe something that is excessively sweet, often to the point of being cloying or artificial in taste. The word originates from "saccharine," which means related to sugar. In culinary contexts, it can refer to food or drinks that have an overwhelmingly sweet flavor, sometimes evoking a sense of being sickly sweet rather than pleasantly flavored.

This term can also be used metaphorically to describe attitudes or behaviors that are overly sentimental or syrupy, such as a saccharine love story that may lack genuine emotion due to its excessive sweetness. Understanding how "saccharine" relates to the concept of sweetness allows one to grasp its broader usage in describing anything that is excessively or unnaturally sweet.