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

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

Lawmakers in the House and Senate plugged away with some final formal votes, in between lengthy and teary tributes to the members who are term-limited or otherwise not returning to the Capitol. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 14 May 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