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 in the small group of hushed onlookers were tearful.
—
ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Kopitar, who bid a tearful adieu to the fans in his final regular-season home game, received immense support from the crowd on hand in the dying embers of the game.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes has provided tearful testimony on the breakdown in her relationship with Rebel Wilson during the making of The Deb.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
There’s misperceived betrayals, a surprise pregnancy, sudden abandonment, a sentimental reconciliation, a fatal illness and a tearful farewell.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Kopitar, who bid a tearful adieu to the fans in his final regular-season home game, received immense support from the crowd on hand in the dying embers of the game.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes has provided tearful testimony on the breakdown in her relationship with Rebel Wilson during the making of The Deb.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
There’s misperceived betrayals, a surprise pregnancy, sudden abandonment, a sentimental reconciliation, a fatal illness and a tearful farewell.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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Stronger communities are built when mental-health services move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and recognize the emotional, social, cultural and practical realities people face every day.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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Mercury enters Gemini in your 4th House of Home, bringing attention to family logistics, living space, and the emotional weather behind closed doors.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
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Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Even more depressing, this scenario essentially puts an end to the good-government experiment in nonpartisan redistricting reform.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
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Such widespread outsourcing of thought and memory is deeply depressing to many educators.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 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
-
Just a pathetic, sad old man who hated the world and spent his days in solitude.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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The man who has been on fire since the Knicks first tipped off against the Atlanta Hawks shot a ghastly — nay, a pathetic — 53 percent from the field.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lawmakers in the House and Senate plugged away with some final formal votes, in between lengthy and teary tributes to the members who are term-limited or otherwise not returning to the Capitol.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
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MacInnes made a teary appearance on the stand yesterday, where Wilson’s barrister quizzed her intensely about her claims of a bad relationship with the Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect actress.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The plaintive melodies are mournful yet comforting.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
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The ambient-dub duo returns with a warm and mournful new record that seems to spend most of its runtime fading in and out.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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