tearful

adjective

ˈtir-fəl How to pronounce tearful (audio)
Definition of tearfulnext
1
as in emotional
given to expressing strong emotion (as sorrow) by readily shedding tears a tearful woman who can be counted on to cry at every wedding, anniversary, and funeral

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness the tearful end to what had once been a close friendship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tearful Garner is a master at the tearful longing gaze over the ocean. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026 Among the actors in the latter group was Moon Hi Ree, who delivered a tearful scene based on her own story. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 On Tuesday, a man claiming to be Tracey's husband posted a tearful plea on social media regarding the incident. — Kelsie Cairns , Stepheny Price , Charles Creitz, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 This typically lasts up to two weeks after delivery and can leave new moms feeling sad, moody, tearful, or emotionally sensitive due to the rapid hormonal changes that occur after childbirth. — Isabel Lopez, Parents, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
  1. emotional
  2. sad
  3. weeping
  4. depressing
  5. crying
  6. pathetic
  7. teary
  8. mournful
Adjective
  • In fact, Jaissle, with his emotional touchline demeanour and obsessive tactical demands, comes across more as a highly-strung indie-rock songwriter/front man.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Its quincunx to Saturn in your 4th House of Home may ask you to balance growth with family, housing, or emotional responsibilities.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of emotional
Adjective
  • Washington Post cartoonist Clifford Berryman quickly produced a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tiny bear cub with big sad eyes and a rope around its neck.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • These sad conventions; these American ways of being, pacing to the end of a block and back like hamsters.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.
    — David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
  • The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
    — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021
Definition of weeping
Adjective
  • The simple, rather depressing, and completely overwhelming fact of the matter is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be ignored, even as superhero fatigue has definitively set in at the global box office.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • The glow through the translucent stone façade prevents that journey from being downright depressing.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Adjective
  • There was no pathetic pleading with the audience to come closer.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
  • North Texas Howard WKU Northwestern Rutgers Nebraska That's a pathetic first six weeks.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • Rojas, who spoke through reddened, teary eyes after the game, knows the family well.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of teary
Adjective
  • Since his siblings were crying with the same mournful expression, clinging to their father’s corpse, Shoichiro willed himself to cry too, and the tears came immediately.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s something mournful, something searching about his statement, too.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
Definition of mournful

Browse Nearby Words

teardrops
tearful
tearing
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Cite this Entry

“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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