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

Rojas, who spoke through reddened, teary eyes after the game, knows the family well. — Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Lizzo, 38, got the chance to meet Hill, 51, at the ceremony and spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the moment through teary eyes in a backstage interview. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Kevin Biron-Bomis, 54, became teary after about 90 minutes of testimony, describing a night of holiday cheer that ended with the death of his brother Brandon. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

From launching a secret OnlyFans account and becoming the teary bride at a gory wedding-gone-wrong to her eerie ending in that big, lonely, ugly mansion, Sweeney's character centered a large portion of the show's finale. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 1 June 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