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

With the passing of Walter Koenig at the age of 90 this past week, franchise luminaries of all degrees are coming out with heartfelt condolences, kind words of remembrance, and tearful reflections. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2026

And her vacant, tearful expression makes clear that the real woman has no say in what’s happening to her. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026

And when the gun went off for the women's varsity race, Bierer walked off the line toward her mother, Sheona, who embraced her tearful daughter. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Though Ali, Jackson Olson, Connor Wood, and Tyler Cameron tied for last, no one was sent home in an uplifting twist at the end of the tearful episode. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 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