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

Cullen would attend conventions around the country to meet with fans from multiple generations, often getting teary. — Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Lizzo, 38, got the chance to meet Hill, 51, at the ceremony and spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the moment through teary eyes in a backstage interview. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

From launching a secret OnlyFans account and becoming the teary bride at a gory wedding-gone-wrong to her eerie ending in that big, lonely, ugly mansion, Sweeney's character centered a large portion of the show's finale. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 1 June 2026

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