1
as in sad
causing unhappiness
a teary ending to what had been up to that point a lighthearted movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of teary
And in recent years, Venice has offered its share of memorable red-carpet looks (think Lady Gaga and her haute couture headpiece) and viral moments that draw the attention of the world (a teary Brendan Fraser basking in a standing ovation).
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
The whole, which left me teary for much of the finale, is far more than the sum of its parts, which are generally entertaining and sometimes quite funny, though occasionally a bit forgettable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
Zach, meanwhile, gets teary over his current predicament.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025
All the conceits of a true-crime film are there – the lead detective interviews, shaky images from police-cams, the salacious headlines, the nauseating crime scene photos, the TV news reports, teary interviews with friends and family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for teary
Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
The whole, which left me teary for much of the finale, is far more than the sum of its parts, which are generally entertaining and sometimes quite funny, though occasionally a bit forgettable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
Zach, meanwhile, gets teary over his current predicament.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 14 Aug. 2025
All the conceits of a true-crime film are there – the lead detective interviews, shaky images from police-cams, the salacious headlines, the nauseating crime scene photos, the TV news reports, teary interviews with friends and family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for teary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for teary
Adjective
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In Democratic cities, people demand 38 meetings and three dozen environmental assessments before tearing down a crack den to build a nursery for sad orphans.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
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Although there are infinitely many happy numbers there are also infinitely many sad ones.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Eighteen months after the last group battle with Vecna in the Abyss in the series finale, Jonathan (Heaton), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Steve (Joe Keery) and Robin (Maya Hawke) reunite on a rooftop for a tearful catch-up.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Peeters posted a tearful video recounting the circumstances of Raffie's death.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2026
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This is par for the course, because conversations are confusing, even depressing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That increase has come with a financial strain and emotional stress for families across the country and in North Carolina.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
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Her relationship with Kerr hits several bumps, giving Blunt the chance to showcase her emotional range in tense scenes.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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There are solutions to Joe Biden’s failing and pathetic attempts to raise money to build a presidential library.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
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Hamnet is a somber watch, much more nakedly sentimental and weepy than Zhao’s other films (including the wonderful neo-Western The Rider, the Oscar-winning drama Nomadland, and the Marvel curio Eternals).—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Nov. 2025
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Ending the top 5 was Brendan Fraser’s prestige weepy Rental Family with $3.3 million.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Teary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/teary. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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