tearful

tear·ful

adjective \ˈtir-fəl\

Definition of TEARFUL

1

: flowing with or accompanied by tears <tearful entreaties>

2

: causing tears : teary <a tearful eulogy>

— tear·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— tear·ful·ness noun

Examples of TEARFUL

1. He looked up at me with his tearful eyes and asked for help.
2. the tearful parting of two lovers

First Known Use of TEARFUL

circa 1586

Related to TEARFUL

Synonyms

lachrymose, teary, weepy

Antonyms

cheering, cheery, glad, happy

Related Words

demonstrative, effusive, emotional; maudlin, mawkish, sentimental; bawling, blubbering, crying, keening, sniffling, sniveling, sobbing, wailing, weeping, whimpering; misty, misty-eyed, moist; bemoaning, bewailing; doleful, dolorous, grieving, mournful, plaintive; funereal, gloomy, lugubrious; brokenhearted, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, downcast, downhearted, heartbroken, heartsick, heavyhearted, inconsolable, miserable, sad, sorrowful, woebegone, woeful, wretched

Near Antonyms

beaming, chuckling, giggling, grinning, laughing, smiling; blithe, blithesome, cheerful, cheery, gay, happy, jocose, jovial, lighthearted, lightsome, merry, mirthful, sunny

Rhymes with TEARFUL

cheerful, fearful