Synonyms of tearful

tearful

adjective

ˈtir-fəl 

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

• emotional
• weeping
• crying
• teary
• weepy
• lachrymose
• sobbing
• sad
• grieving
• heartbroken
• depressed
• sentimental
• mournful
• effusive
• mawkish
• demonstrative
• wailing
• maudlin
• blubbering
• misty
• moist
• plaintive
• miserable
• sorrowful
• doleful
• dejected
• bawling
• keening
• inconsolable
• dolorous
• disconsolate
• misty-eyed
• sniffling
• lugubrious
• whimpering
• gloomy
• wretched
• sniveling
• heartsick
• funereal
• downcast
• woebegone
• despondent
• brokenhearted
• woeful
• bewailing
• downhearted
• heavyhearted
• bemoaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smiling
• laughing
• grinning
• beaming
• cheerful
• jovial
• happy
• giggling
• cheery
• merry
• mirthful
• lighthearted
• blithe
• sunny
• chuckling
• gay
• jocose
• blithesome
• lightsome

2

as in sad

causing unhappiness

the tearful end to what had once been a close friendship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sad
• depressing
• pathetic
• mournful
• heartbreaking
• melancholy
• unfortunate
• teary
• disturbing
• saddening
• dismal
• sorry
• dreary
• drear
• heartrending
• distressful
• lamentable
• distressing
• deplorable
• poignant
• disquieting
• touching
• moving
• woeful
• grievous
• perturbing
• discomforting
• discouraging
• affecting
• dispiriting
• disheartening
• discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happy
• glad
• cheery
• inspiring
• uplifting
• stirring
• pleasant
• stimulating
• delightful
• welcome
• heartening
• cheering
• satisfying
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• pleasurable
• heartwarming
• pleasing
• exhilarating
• thrilling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tearful

The emotional toll was evident as Springer shared a tearful goodbye with teammates Daulton Varsho and Kevin Gausman before their departures. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

His instinctive reaction, tearful after losing another final, was to throw in the towel, to announce his career with Argentina was over at the age of 29, to focus on his club career, which by comparison brought him so much joy and so little anxiety. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Garner is a master at the tearful longing gaze over the ocean. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026

Among the actors in the latter group was Moon Hi Ree, who delivered a tearful scene based on her own story. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026