Synonyms of tearful

tearful

adjective

ˈtir-fəl 

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

• emotional
• weeping
• crying
• teary
• weepy
• lachrymose
• sobbing
• sad
• grieving
• heartbroken
• depressed
• sentimental
• mournful
• effusive
• mawkish
• demonstrative
• wailing
• maudlin
• blubbering
• misty
• moist
• plaintive
• miserable
• sorrowful
• doleful
• dejected
• bawling
• keening
• inconsolable
• dolorous
• disconsolate
• misty-eyed
• sniffling
• lugubrious
• whimpering
• gloomy
• wretched
• sniveling
• heartsick
• funereal
• downcast
• woebegone
• despondent
• brokenhearted
• woeful
• bewailing
• downhearted
• heavyhearted
• bemoaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smiling
• laughing
• grinning
• beaming
• cheerful
• jovial
• happy
• giggling
• cheery
• merry
• mirthful
• lighthearted
• blithe
• sunny
• chuckling
• gay
• jocose
• blithesome
• lightsome

2

as in sad

causing unhappiness

the tearful end to what had once been a close friendship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sad
• depressing
• pathetic
• mournful
• heartbreaking
• melancholy
• unfortunate
• teary
• disturbing
• saddening
• dismal
• sorry
• dreary
• drear
• heartrending
• distressful
• lamentable
• distressing
• deplorable
• poignant
• disquieting
• touching
• moving
• woeful
• grievous
• perturbing
• discomforting
• discouraging
• affecting
• dispiriting
• disheartening
• discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happy
• glad
• cheery
• inspiring
• uplifting
• stirring
• pleasant
• stimulating
• delightful
• welcome
• heartening
• cheering
• satisfying
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• pleasurable
• heartwarming
• pleasing
• exhilarating
• thrilling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tearful

And no tearful, cinematic gateside farewells or joyful welcomes. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Even without a tearful backstory that parallels the circumstances of Hank’s current assignment with an almost cartoonish precision, Ritchson makes Hank likable with a performance that’s thoughtful, human and drily funny. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

More than a hundred people gathered Saturday night for a candlelight vigil on the quad at William Jewell, sharing tearful stories, hugging and honoring a beloved teammate, student, friend and son. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026

Federer gave an emotional and tearful speech during his induction ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026