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
Firefighters join in tearful goodbye Hundreds of Fort Worth firefighters joined Augustus in saying a tearful goodbye to their colleague and friend.
—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Watch Swift's tearful speech in the video above.
—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
There were the arrests of tearful and screaming immigrants, captured on video and played on endless loops across social media.
—
Moriah Balingit,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
After spending 11 months gathering evidence, interviewing two dozen tearful girls and their parents, then being stonewalled by state prosecutors and attacked in the media, they were then ostracized by federal prosecutors, who took over the case in early 2007.
—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Dawn White,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Watch Swift's tearful speech in the video above.
—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
There were the arrests of tearful and screaming immigrants, captured on video and played on endless loops across social media.
—
Moriah Balingit,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
After spending 11 months gathering evidence, interviewing two dozen tearful girls and their parents, then being stonewalled by state prosecutors and attacked in the media, they were then ostracized by federal prosecutors, who took over the case in early 2007.
—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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The expansion’s Council proponents have never really addressed this point beyond emotional appeals to the plight of overburdened tenants.
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The emotional beats are incredible but don't linger for too long and the humor is great for both kids and parents.
Adjective
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Then Greene takes a long, sad subway ride home, and America learns that one of their favorite TV doctors isn't flawless.
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Local foodies were sad to hear owner Sylvia Chung (Momma Chung) retired and closed the south Fort Worth restaurant in October of last year.
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.
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
Adjective
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What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
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After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
Adjective
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But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.
Adjective
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After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
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The Right Now’s Diana Levy — the executive producer of the stunt — asked reporters to spread out in a way that would make the turnout appear as sparse (and therefore pathetic) as possible.
Adjective
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Kevin Biron-Bomis, 54, became teary after about 90 minutes of testimony, describing a night of holiday cheer that ended with the death of his brother Brandon.
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From launching a secret OnlyFans account and becoming the teary bride at a gory wedding-gone-wrong to her eerie ending in that big, lonely, ugly mansion, Sweeney's character centered a large portion of the show's finale.
Adjective
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The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
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The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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