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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearful
Some video messages from old friends were played during Kevin De Bruyne’s tearful Manchester City farewell at the Etihad Stadium.
—
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
In the episode, Jennifer took a tearful, tense phone call with Zac.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 June 2025
June’s words are affecting Lydia, who grows tearful and trembling.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 May 2025
The clip of the tearful moment of acceptance between father and son has 2.8 million likes and more than 23 million views.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
In the episode, Jennifer took a tearful, tense phone call with Zac.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 June 2025
June’s words are affecting Lydia, who grows tearful and trembling.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 May 2025
The clip of the tearful moment of acceptance between father and son has 2.8 million likes and more than 23 million views.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
-
Stacy sought to foster emotional and physical self-reliance among its campers, according to Texas Monthly, which cited an old brochure from her time.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
-
Cortisol rises during times of emotional or physical stress.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Too much alcohol and your dreamy dessert turns into a sad, semi-frozen slush.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Her eyes are big and sad, and her index finger touches the tip of the nightstick hanging from the policeman’s belt.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
-
That’s a depressing setup, but the film is a lot gentler.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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And on that depressing thought, that's how Squid Game ended.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Nevertheless, the squad needs to shift strategies and Sonny is here to take them from pathetic to aggressive.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
Jarvis’ performance is transformative, making Mark both pathetic and feverishly alive, his corrosive remorse seemingly genuine.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
All ended with teary words from Shaiman and Wittman.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
24 June 2025
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Our tester found the liner glided on effortlessly and was seriously impressed by its staying power, even with her perpetually teary eyes.—
Angela Trakoshis,
Allure,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Unlike most of his hardcore predecessors, Yates has a knack for mournful melodies, and a voice that may remind some older listeners of Perry Farrell, from Jane’s Addiction.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
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Now comes their follow-up, with a soundalike title, but quite a different mood—more mournful, more anguished, more serious.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Comment At the end of the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Richard Strauss’s Salome, the soprano Elza van den Heever stayed onstage to accept the uproarious ovations with a weepy smile and a grateful tap on her heart.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2025
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Novelist Kazuo Ishiguro’s weepy cloning love-triangle story turned out to be apt source material for his friend Garland to adapt.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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