tearful

adjective

ˈtir-fəl How to pronounce tearful (audio)
Definition of tearfulnext
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

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.
Recent Examples of tearful Related The two sat down for the premiere episode of The Vic Mensa Show and hashed things out after years of avoiding their personal grievances with each other, which led to a tearful and heartfelt conversation between old friends. — Angel Diaz, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 Witness after witness testified for Josh, including a tearful Chantelle Crider. — Peter Henderson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 Reese Witherspoon shared a tearful video and revealed Dolly Parton helped her prepare for the 2005 film Walk the Line. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 Her tearful, climactic phone call with Heath Ledger's character is absolutely devastating. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
  1. emotional
  2. sad
  3. weeping
  4. depressing
  5. crying
  6. pathetic
  7. teary
  8. mournful
Adjective
  • More importantly, part two closes an emotional circle that the first one had just begun to delineate.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Spivey held an emotional service later that night in honor of the students killed.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of emotional
Adjective
  • This formula carried his last offering, the funny and sad, Colin Farrell-led The Banshees of Inisherin to nine Oscar nominations in 2022.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sad
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
Definition of weeping
Adjective
  • Climate change, depressing and overwhelming, falls into that category.
    — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Keegan’s first decision at Newcastle as manager in 1992 was to fumigate the depressing training ground.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Adjective
  • Billboards along Southern California freeways have broadcast the Angels’ desperate attempts to draw in fans via pathetic promotions.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The outfield production continues to be a concern, and the overall offensive production is pathetic.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP Cullen would attend conventions around the country to meet with fans from multiple generations, often getting teary.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cullen would attend conventions around the country to meet with fans from multiple generations, often getting teary.
    — Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of teary
Adjective
  • Part of it was the circumstances of his death and the mournful public procession through Brooklyn.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Whitney Houston’s powerhouse version stands alone, but Dolly’s quieter, mournful ode to her collaboration with Porter Wagoner is the artful, formative sketch to a colossal mural.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mournful

Browse Nearby Words

teardrops
tearful
tearing
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Cite this Entry

“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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