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
Gilbert was tearful while exiting the courtroom after the judge ordered Busfield’s release.
—
Morgan Lee, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Gilbert was tearful while exiting the courtroom after the judge ordered Busfield's release.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Kotb told the tearful co-hosts.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
In a night full of pleasant surprises, tearful acceptance speeches and eye-roll-inducing moments, there was still a lot that audiences didn’t see on TV.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Morgan Lee, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Gilbert was tearful while exiting the courtroom after the judge ordered Busfield's release.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Kotb told the tearful co-hosts.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
In a night full of pleasant surprises, tearful acceptance speeches and eye-roll-inducing moments, there was still a lot that audiences didn’t see on TV.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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Testimony is also likely to include emotional stories from those who were in the school that day.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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Romero does not have the tactical or emotional discipline required to be an effective captain.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Nancy Guthrie's Arizona community gathered for a vigil Wednesday evening while the world can't look away from an incident that is deeply, horrifically sad and frightening.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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The song is sophisticated and simple, sad and somehow triumphant.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 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
-
More depressing, the brothers say.—
Max Chesnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Any insight into the thought processes of people like him is informative and amusing, if a bit depressing as well.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 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
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These attempts at sowing division are pathetic and getting boring.—
Rhyma Castillo,
San Antonio Express-News,
29 Jan. 2026
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For Guardiola to focus on lambasting Hallam was pretty pathetic, all told.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Now imagine the same with some of those teary eyes angled down toward glowing screens, while others frame the bride with their phones.—
Nikita Khanna,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
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That memory from age 13 makes Sawitz, now 68 and father to a 12-year-old daughter, teary.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Newsom shakes his head, seeming more mournful than angry.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
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In addition to occasional bursts of folk songs, there are outstanding new compositions by Mario Batkovic that move from a quick, nerve-jangling pulse to a full surge of mournful chords in a late sequence.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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