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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearful
He was released from federal custody on parole Friday and had a tearful reunion with his family after nearly half a year apart.
—
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
The tearful goodbye marked a major milestone for Sánchez Bezos and her family.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
If not Irish voices, please please please stop and listen to Jewish ones – from the high mindedness of Rabbi Sharon Brous, to the tearful comedy of the Grody-Patinkin family – who fear the damage to Judaism, as well as Israel’s neighbours.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
The ceremony was also tearful, according to the images released by North Korea, with Kim meeting with bereaved family members who were seen sobbing and paying tribute to soldiers’ photos on the wall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
The tearful goodbye marked a major milestone for Sánchez Bezos and her family.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
If not Irish voices, please please please stop and listen to Jewish ones – from the high mindedness of Rabbi Sharon Brous, to the tearful comedy of the Grody-Patinkin family – who fear the damage to Judaism, as well as Israel’s neighbours.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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This is the Oscar-winning director's first-ever acting Emmy nomination, and his daughter Francesca shared his emotional reaction to being nominated.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Their emotional personal stories helped fuel the popularity of lotteries.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But now, the King and the royal family have received very sad news that will change things going forward.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Sep. 2025
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Shooting scenes in wide or medium shots that sometimes break into Hsiao-Lee’s harrowing point-of-view, cinematographer Yu Jing-Pin depicts a world without much color or hope, while sets by Huang Mei-Ching and Tu Shuo-Feng emphasize a sad and impoverished existence.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Compelling, sure, but more depressing than funny.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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The news is depressing, and now the Tribune is ignoring what is, for those who are not sports fans, their leading form of entertainment.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
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The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
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Want the poop on this pathetic history?—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And in recent years, Venice has offered its share of memorable red-carpet looks (think Lady Gaga and her haute couture headpiece) and viral moments that draw the attention of the world (a teary Brendan Fraser basking in a standing ovation).—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac shared a teary hug during the approximately 14-minute applause break.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Similarly, the discreetly mournful compositions of Giorgio Matteo and Aki Oliviero’s score hover politely on the periphery of the (in)action, careful not to intrude.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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His narration is a constant pleasure — mournful, wry, and suffused with a world-weary poetry.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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