tearful

adjective

tear·​ful ˈtir-fəl 

1

: flowing with or accompanied by tears

tearful entreaties

2

: causing tears : teary

a tearful eulogy

tearfully

ˈtir-fə-lē 

adverb

tearfulness noun

Synonyms of tearful

• emotional
• weeping
• crying
• teary
• weepy
• lachrymose
• sobbing
• sad
• grieving

Examples of tearful in a Sentence

He looked up at me with his tearful eyes and asked for help.

the tearful parting of two lovers

Recent Examples on the Web

Sixteen sets of eyes stared up at her from the rug as children strained to get a look at the tearful raccoon. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

The Eastland family and other camp leaders have testified in courtrooms and in front of the state Legislature in the months since the flood, however, with camp director Edward Eastland offering a tearful apology. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

Newspaper stories declared the case solved, and Oprah Winfrey staged a tearful family reunion of Jefferson’s descendants. — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

Rob Reiner was the subject of a tearful tribute at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tearful

• cheerful
• fearful

Kids Definition

tearful

adjective

tear·​ful ˈti(ə)r-fəl 

: flowing with, accompanied by, or causing tears

tearfully

-fə-lē 

adverb