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
Some epic scenes were invented wholesale, like a tearful reunion between Louis and Lestat in their old New Orleans home as a hurricane rages around them.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
There were the arrests of tearful and screaming immigrants, captured on video and played on endless loops across social media.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Firefighter's family ready to contest allegations Dove's family members were in the courtroom on Tuesday, happy and tearful that his will come home while awaiting trial.
—Ashley Paul, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Richard Childress as well as dozens of other people in the NASCAR community stood behind the family in a moment of remarkable power, as Samantha hugged Brexton and grew tearful.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
There were the arrests of tearful and screaming immigrants, captured on video and played on endless loops across social media.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Firefighter's family ready to contest allegations Dove's family members were in the courtroom on Tuesday, happy and tearful that his will come home while awaiting trial.
—Ashley Paul, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Richard Childress as well as dozens of other people in the NASCAR community stood behind the family in a moment of remarkable power, as Samantha hugged Brexton and grew tearful.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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Mexico forward Raul Jimenez paid an emotional tribute to his former teammate Diogo Jota after scoring a crucial equalizer against the United States in Sunday’s Concacaf Gold Cup final.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Stoner, a Disney Channel veteran, first opened up about their sexuality in 2018, penning an emotional essay for Teen Vogue.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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And that is what is, to use Hill's phrase, terribly sad.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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The sad thing for me is that, as a young actor, there was a platform for small independent films that were interesting.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
11 June 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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When Aston Villa supporters reflect on the growing stature of their club, many like to compare the euphoria with the dark and depressing times of the recent past.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
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Following that news, the Fighting Irish decided to decline their bowl game invitation, ending a depressing finish to what had been a great all-around season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
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
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Sports make people a little pathetic.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Williams didn't portray Peter Banning as pathetic.—
Cynthia Pelayo,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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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.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
1 June 2026
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Edwards allegedly wrote a poem for a female staffer and read it aloud at her going-away party attended by the whole office, growing teary and choked up while reading beside a slideshow depicting photos of himself and the staffer, according to the report.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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