teary

adjective

ˈtir-ē 

tearier; teariest

1

a

: wet or stained with tears : tearful

teary eyes

b

: consisting of tears or drops resembling tears

2

: causing tears : pathetic

a teary story

Synonyms of teary

• sad
• depressing
• tearful
• pathetic

Examples of teary in a Sentence

There were many teary eyes among those in the audience.

He made a teary farewell to the fans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Watts became teary at this point in the conversation, earning a raucous round of applause from the crowd. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026

That these sort of games, with their duplicity, hypocrisies and teary moments of tenderness, are popular is beyond question, and that is certainly how viewers are invited to watch. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP Cullen would attend conventions around the country to meet with fans from multiple generations, often getting teary. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Cullen would attend conventions around the country to meet with fans from multiple generations, often getting teary. — Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing teary

• teary-eyed

Rhymes for teary

• beery
• bleary
• cheery
• cirri
• dearie
• deary
• dreary
• eerie
• kiri
• leary
• leery
• peery