weep

verb

ˈwēp How to pronounce weep (audio)
wept ˈwept How to pronounce weep (audio) ; weeping
Synonyms of weep

transitive verb

1
: to express deep sorrow for usually by shedding tears : bewail
… weeping the sins and errors of his youth …—Edward Gibbon
2
: to pour forth (tears) from the eyes
3
: to exude (a fluid) slowly : ooze
a tree weeping sap

intransitive verb

1
: to express passion (such as grief) by shedding tears
2
a
: to give off or leak fluid slowly : ooze
b
of a fluid : to flow sluggishly or in drops
3
: to droop over : bend

Synonyms of weep

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Examples of weep in a Sentence

He wept at the news of her death. She sat down and wept. He wept bitter tears of disappointment. The meringue will weep if you put it in the fridge.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The prosecutor argued the beatings basically never stopped, claiming footage showed nannies beating one child, then turning their violence toward any of the other toddlers who wept while watching. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Ambulances were seen leaving the hospital to bring the children's bodies home as mourners wept and wailed. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 Henry makes a cute joke about Arch’s wife; Arch weeps due to the hardships of war. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 Bel’s father took a long look at Conner’s painting, then let out a loud moan and wept. — Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weep

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wepen, from Old English wēpan; akin to Old High German wuoffan to weep, Serbian & Croatian vapiti to cry out

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of weep was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing weep

Rhymes for weep

See All Rhymes for weep

Browse Nearby Words

weeny
weep
weeper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weep. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

weep

verb
ˈwēp How to pronounce weep (audio)
wept ˈwept How to pronounce weep (audio) ; weeping
1
: to show emotion and especially sorrow by shedding tears : cry
2
: to give off liquid slowly or in drops : ooze
a tree weeping sap
weeper noun

Medical Definition

weep

verb
ˈwēp How to pronounce weep (audio)
wept ˈwept How to pronounce weep (audio) ; weeping

transitive verb

1
: to pour forth (tears) from the eyes
2
: to exude (a fluid) slowly

intransitive verb

1
: to shed tears
2
: to exude a serous fluid
a weeping burn
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