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
Delivering a tearful farewell, Martinez thanked the teachers who supported him during his time as a CPS student as well as those who supported him during his time as CEO.
—
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
There were tearful videos where creators prayed for Trigg’s wellbeing and others where people redoubled their investigative efforts to prove that Trigg was the boy who had drowned.
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Goranson and Gilbert follow with tearful exits that are deeper than a pizza-party ending.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Despite her tearful breakdown, Erickson committed herself to going ahead with the challenge.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
There were tearful videos where creators prayed for Trigg’s wellbeing and others where people redoubled their investigative efforts to prove that Trigg was the boy who had drowned.
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Goranson and Gilbert follow with tearful exits that are deeper than a pizza-party ending.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Despite her tearful breakdown, Erickson committed herself to going ahead with the challenge.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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Companies with genuinely supportive cultures describe their environment in specific terms, highlighting concrete benefits, career development opportunities and clear advancement paths rather than relying on emotional language.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Growing visibly emotional, Bartsch took in the audience and smiled through her tears.—
Nigel Smith,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The building directly across the street stands in sad disrepair, its windows smashed, swathed in graffiti, a front garage door hangs half-open.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2025
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Two screenshots from the video showing Ollie was a sad facial expression.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 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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And books about cancer don’t have to be depressing.—
Terry McDonell
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
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That was a bit depressing, that first paintbrush touching your skin.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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So why did a chess engine that came under the pathetic category and only looks one move ahead not just defeat but humiliate ChatGPT?—
David Szondy
June 15,
New Atlas,
15 June 2025
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Not because ownership has had a change of heart, but rather as a way to address their pathetic offense.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The lively segment ended with Gless, who got teary at points during her answer.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2025
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The original video, which has now been viewed more than 18 million times, was a teary confession from Nilsen, who was best known at the time for her beauty content.—
Sara Belcher,
People.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Unlike most of his hardcore predecessors, Yates has a knack for mournful melodies, and a voice that may remind some older listeners of Perry Farrell, from Jane’s Addiction.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
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Now comes their follow-up, with a soundalike title, but quite a different mood—more mournful, more anguished, more serious.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Comment At the end of the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Richard Strauss’s Salome, the soprano Elza van den Heever stayed onstage to accept the uproarious ovations with a weepy smile and a grateful tap on her heart.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2025
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Novelist Kazuo Ishiguro’s weepy cloning love-triangle story turned out to be apt source material for his friend Garland to adapt.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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