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
The tearful star became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in Emilia Perez.
—
Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
Brooke Hogan has crafted a tearful tribute to her father Hulk Hogan, who died July 24, 2025 at the age of 71.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Season 48 winner Kyle Fraser, 31, critically hurt his Achilles' tendon in the first immunity challenge, resulting in doctors pulling him from the game while his tearful tribe looked on.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
During a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Figueroa’s family members grew tearful while the state laid out details of the case.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
Brooke Hogan has crafted a tearful tribute to her father Hulk Hogan, who died July 24, 2025 at the age of 71.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Season 48 winner Kyle Fraser, 31, critically hurt his Achilles' tendon in the first immunity challenge, resulting in doctors pulling him from the game while his tearful tribe looked on.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
During a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Figueroa’s family members grew tearful while the state laid out details of the case.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
-
Is this emotional state of particular interest to you?—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Security grows as the emotional Moon in your 2nd House of Production trines cheerful Jupiter in your 10th House of Gains.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There were enough people in the room who were sad about the kid.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
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And that’s really sad, because the latest gen is a genuinely fantastic car.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
2 Apr. 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
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
-
The Knicks went on to defeat the tanking, depleted Grizzlies handily, a 130-119 win good enough to snap a depressing three-game losing streak against the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Far from a depressing gray room located in a basement, The Bridge and its massive windows put a spotlight on the natural beauty of Hong Kong.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
-
The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, dust allergy symptoms include sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itching; wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath; and red, itchy, or teary eyes.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
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The pup can be seen glancing around his kennel with teary eyes, appearing scared and confused.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, in the Andante movement, the upper strings opened with a glassy sound before the mournful line of the cello entered.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, humpback whale songs have been recorded for human listening, with many describing the songs as having a haunting, mournful quality.—
Patrick Whittle,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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