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 Eastland family and other camp leaders have testified in courtrooms and in front of the state Legislature in the months since the flood, however, with camp director Edward Eastland offering a tearful apology. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

Newspaper stories declared the case solved, and Oprah Winfrey staged a tearful family reunion of Jefferson’s descendants. — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

Rob Reiner was the subject of a tearful tribute at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis closed the segment with a tearful tribute to actor, writer and producer Rob Reiner, who died last December alongside wife Michele Singer Reiner. — Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman, 15 Sep. 2026