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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of tearful
The footage showed a tearful Edan Alexander urging President-elect Donald Trump to strike a deal to end the war.
—
Gabe Joselow, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
During the broadcast, the beloved NBC personality was feted with everything from celebrity well-wishes (including Oprah and Jamie Lee Curtis) to tearful moments with her co-stars — and crew.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Hoda Kotb had a tearful sendoff Friday during her last day on Today, the NBC morning news franchise.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
Final show recap:Hoda Kotb bids tearful 'Today' show farewell
Need a break?
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tearful 
Gabe Joselow, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
During the broadcast, the beloved NBC personality was feted with everything from celebrity well-wishes (including Oprah and Jamie Lee Curtis) to tearful moments with her co-stars — and crew.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Hoda Kotb had a tearful sendoff Friday during her last day on Today, the NBC morning news franchise.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
Final show recap:Hoda Kotb bids tearful 'Today' show farewell
Need a break?
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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People feel abandoned or unprepared, amplifying the emotional toll.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
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These intelligent and emotional animals have been a part of human culture for centuries—as companions, workers and performers.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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January 26, 2025: Once again, the Bills lose their playoff game against the Chiefs, sparking a bunch of sad Josh Allen edits on TikTok.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
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In a sad irony, her grieving family strives to live by Maggie’s words and channel her spirit.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN,
26 Jan. 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
Adjective
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Viewership increased, the Afternoon Depression Zone grew less depressing, everyone seemed happier.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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As well as Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, today is known as Blue Monday – thought to be the most depressing day of the year.—
Alyssa Jaffer,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Something drastic has to be done with this pathetic group of men masquerading as basketball players.—
Ticked Off,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2025
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On Vanderpump Rules, this man was smug, pathetic, punchable.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Tyrus captioned the Instagram video, which also showed his teary reaction to his son’s gesture.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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Adele bid a teary goodbye to Vegas at the final show in her two-year residency in Sin City.—
Lester Fabian Brathwaite,
EW.com,
24 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Angelo Badalamenti’s mournful, string-laden score draws us in, emphasizing the quaintness of the visuals, while also suggesting a deeper pain at the core of this place.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
19 Jan. 2025
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The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) shared a sorrowful story across their social media feeds about a mournful looking cat.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That doesn’t mean every film has to be a history lesson or depressing, or weepy or political or provocative or wear its issues on its sleeve.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
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Well, for comparison’s sake, here’s a timeline of Erivo and Grande’s extremely weepy press tour (part one).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tearful
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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