tearful

tear·ful | \ ˈtir-fəl

How to pronounce tearful (audio)

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Definition of tearful

1 : flowing with or accompanied by tears tearful entreaties

2 : causing tears : teary a tearful eulogy

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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 After tearful goodbyes to her host family, the volunteer who always wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, boarded a Guagua, (pronounced wawa) a minivan of sorts, her mode of transportation during her stay in the rural area. — Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio Peace Corps volunteer recalls experience in Dominican Republic," 18 May 2020 But before fans get the chance to say a tearful goodbye to the Pearsons, there’s just one more tiny interruption. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "‘This Is Us’ Fans Are Absolutely Furious Over the Show’s Latest Episode Announcement," 4 Mar. 2020 What’s meant to be a tearful reunion starts awkwardly, then turns tense … and then violent. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Elijah Wood and ‘Come to Daddy’ exploit its gross-out horror to the fullest," 6 Feb. 2020 That was best evidenced by their literal front-row seats, an arrangement that led to a tearful reunion between co-stars Sophie Turner and Kit Harington at the start of the show. — Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, "Emmys 2019: 6 Moments the Cameras Missed," 23 Sep. 2019 Seniors had big plans before the coronavirus pandemic swept them away in a sea of uncertainty and social distancing: from proms, pranks, Nerf wars, end-of-year parties, the big walk across the stage and tearful farewells in the hallways. — Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Senior pictures wanted: Let us help celebrate the Class of 2020," 24 Apr. 2020 Skylar’s initial symptoms were minor After the tearful night dealing with a fever and headache, LaVondria took her daughter to the pediatrician March 23. — Stephanie Toone, ajc, "Rare condition leads to 5-year-old Michigan girl succumbing to COVID-19," 20 Apr. 2020 Harris’ brokenness and tearful confession has to be a call for those of us who find or have found ourselves in these situations to care for our sisters sometimes much more than their husbands ever will. — Candice Benbow, Essence, "Watching J.R. Smith's Wife Jewel Harris Publicly Pray Over Cheating Allegations Made Me Uncomfortable...and It Should Have," 18 Dec. 2019 Saks said videoconferencing has actually led to some poignant death-bed reunions, including a tearful meeting last week between a grieving daughter and her dying mother, a Russian-speaking Holocaust survivor. — Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "Isolated and dying, patients get help connecting with their families from palliative caregivers," 12 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tearful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

29 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tearful. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.

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