Synonyms of teary

teary

adjective

ˈtir-ē 

1

as in sad

causing unhappiness

a teary ending to what had been up to that point a lighthearted movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in tearful

given to expressing strong emotion (as sorrow) by readily shedding tears

he's one of those teary drunks who sees fit to bore the other bar patrons with his sad stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of teary

Lawmakers in the House and Senate plugged away with some final formal votes, in between lengthy and teary tributes to the members who are term-limited or otherwise not returning to the Capitol. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 14 May 2026

MacInnes made a teary appearance on the stand yesterday, where Wilson’s barrister quizzed her intensely about her claims of a bad relationship with the Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect actress. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026

There, Sam unleashes reams upon reams of monologues about their past at a teary Mary, who fills in a few gaps. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026

Still, nothing sparked quite as many headlines—or joyfully teary social media Reels—as the closing moments of episode five. — Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026