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

For all its drama — the tearful testimony, the corporate conspiracy theories, the government’s fully victorious verdict — Brian Watson’s civil fraud trial ended quietly last month. —Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026

But producers kept the cameras rolling throughout Shandi’s distress, capturing her sobbing frame and even filming a tearful phone call with her boyfriend back home. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026

There is a 9-year-old girl sitting terrified and tearful and blaming herself for wanting to see Disney. —Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

His tone was more direct than the emotional, sometimes tearful plea read by his sisters Savannah and Annie the previous evening. —Sarah Lapidus, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 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