TEARFUL Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

tearful

adjective

ˈtir-fəl

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

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 Best of all are turtle release dates, when staff doctors deem a turtle healthy enough to rewild—the community comes to the beach to see it off, joyful and even tearful as the turtle ambles into waves and disappears beneath them. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026 Viewers also got a closer look at how Tarek was there for her during the difficult period, especially when the pair had a tearful heart-to-heart and forgave each other for all their past wrongdoings in the first episode. —

Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Edward Eastland, one of the camp directors and a member of the Eastland family that owns and operates the 100-year-old camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River, offered a tearful public apology to the victims’ families on Tuesday. —

Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 Kopitar, who bid a tearful adieu to the fans in his final regular-season home game, received immense support from the crowd on hand in the dying embers of the game. —

Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tearful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful

Adjective

Stronger communities are built when mental-health services move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and recognize the emotional, social, cultural and practical realities people face every day.

— Maria Bledsoe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Mercury enters Gemini in your 4th House of Home, bringing attention to family logistics, living space, and the emotional weather behind closed doors.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026