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
Relevance
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
Instead, Janai Norman — the warm, radiant presence who had become the heart of weekend Good Morning America — said goodbye through a tearful Instagram video on April 3 that left loyal viewers blindsided and heartbroken.
—
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
In the days after the procedure, he was filled with joy, always tearful.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
The tearful moment was captured on video.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
That’s how Guthrie managed those previous tearful, temporary returns.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
In the days after the procedure, he was filled with joy, always tearful.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
The tearful moment was captured on video.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
That’s how Guthrie managed those previous tearful, temporary returns.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
-
Language development, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and relationship-building all begin before age three.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The set was an emotional roller coaster with four deuces and eight service errors by the Highlanders.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
As major college athletics continues to shift into for-profit, these types of sad measures are expected to continue, and private equity will continue to creep in.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
And such a sad story for Positano, and this whole region.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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
Adjective
-
Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
This level of security is a depressing necessity in modern-day Britain.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
-
But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
MacInnes made a teary appearance on the stand yesterday, where Wilson’s barrister quizzed her intensely about her claims of a bad relationship with the Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect actress.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There, Sam unleashes reams upon reams of monologues about their past at a teary Mary, who fills in a few gaps.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The hour-long event included mournful hymns, prayers and the laying of wreaths by the participants, which included representatives from many countries around the world.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
His face, always stationed somewhere halfway to hangdog, seems to gain 20 new creases carved deep into his skin, accentuating his mournful eyes and his excruciated, heartbroken smile.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
