tearful

adjective

tear·​ful ˈtir-fəl How to pronounce tearful (audio)
1
: flowing with or accompanied by tears
tearful entreaties
2
: causing tears : teary
a tearful eulogy
tearfully adverb
tearfulness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Three of Combs’ daughters gave tearful addresses to the court. Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025 In her tearful video, Moore questioned the competing narratives being used by the president and his supporters. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025 In a tearful Instagram Stories video, the 34-year-old Bachelorette alum — who was diagnosed with breast cancer in February — addressed the fake death rumors being posted on social media. Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 Family friend Nichole Burdick Boyd said her tearful father informed her of Easley’s death. Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tearful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tearful was circa 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tearful. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tearful

adjective
tear·​ful ˈti(ə)r-fəl How to pronounce tearful (audio)
: flowing with, accompanied by, or causing tears
tearfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tearful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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