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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearful
Teyana Taylor looked tearful as Anderson accepted the award for his 10th film alongside fellow producer Sara Murphy (and in memory of the late Adam Somner).
—
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Redzepi announced his resignation on Instagram with a tearful video soon after.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
UConn accomplished the fairytale ending when Bueckers walked off the floor and into a tearful embrace with Auriemma minutes before the team secured its 12th national championship with an 82-59 win over South Carolina.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
The tearful star became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in Emilia Perez.
—Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Redzepi announced his resignation on Instagram with a tearful video soon after.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
UConn accomplished the fairytale ending when Bueckers walked off the floor and into a tearful embrace with Auriemma minutes before the team secured its 12th national championship with an 82-59 win over South Carolina.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
The tearful star became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in Emilia Perez.
—Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
-
Is this emotional state of particular interest to you?—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Security grows as the emotional Moon in your 2nd House of Production trines cheerful Jupiter in your 10th House of Gains.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And there is a beautiful human element to it that is kind of, at its core, a little sad.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
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The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
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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The Knicks went on to defeat the tanking, depleted Grizzlies handily, a 130-119 win good enough to snap a depressing three-game losing streak against the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Far from a depressing gray room located in a basement, The Bridge and its massive windows put a spotlight on the natural beauty of Hong Kong.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
-
The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, dust allergy symptoms include sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itching; wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath; and red, itchy, or teary eyes.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
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The pup can be seen glancing around his kennel with teary eyes, appearing scared and confused.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Then, in the Andante movement, the upper strings opened with a glassy sound before the mournful line of the cello entered.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, humpback whale songs have been recorded for human listening, with many describing the songs as having a haunting, mournful quality.—
Patrick Whittle,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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