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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tearful
After a tearful embrace with Billie, Alex decides to sacrifice herself.
—
Selome Hailu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
Combs addressed the packed courtroom nearly five hours into a lengthy proceeding that featured impassioned legal arguments and tearful pleas for leniency from six of the hip-hop mogul’s children.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
In her tearful video, Moore questioned the competing narratives being used by the president and his supporters.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
Family friend Nichole Burdick Boyd said her tearful father informed her of Easley’s death.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Selome Hailu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
Combs addressed the packed courtroom nearly five hours into a lengthy proceeding that featured impassioned legal arguments and tearful pleas for leniency from six of the hip-hop mogul’s children.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
In her tearful video, Moore questioned the competing narratives being used by the president and his supporters.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
Family friend Nichole Burdick Boyd said her tearful father informed her of Easley’s death.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
-
Some do not have the emotional wherewithal to to observe that others have needs as well.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Players, coaches, executives and ownership groups have come and gone, but the team remains despite a lengthy and emotional relocation saga that nearly resulted in a move to Seattle.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The footage shows Deiseroth’s demeanor teetering between sad and angry.—
David Goodhue
October 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 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
-
And that’s what's so depressing.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
His college career has come to an end in a very depressing way.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
-
The Panthers’ defense was largely effective against a pathetic Jets offense, which could barely muster movement at home.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
-
And Craig Waterman, the marketing executive from the 2024 film Friendship, took Robinson into new territory with a darker and more pathetic take on the same neurotic type.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hadid's marital bliss proved to be emotional for Gigi, who could be spotted dabbing her teary eyes in one photo from the ceremony.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Sabandal was surprised at first and initially attributed the confusion to her use of the teary eye emoji.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Walt Disney Imagineering updated the storyline of Black Widow Bride Constance Hatchway earlier this year by turning her from an axe murderer who beheads her wealthy husbands into a more mournful figure overwhelmed by the dread of lost love.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In this context, even a simple boast about wielding a Beretta sounded mournful.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share