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
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
The tearful star became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in Emilia Perez.
—
Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
Brooke Hogan has crafted a tearful tribute to her father Hulk Hogan, who died July 24, 2025 at the age of 71.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Season 48 winner Kyle Fraser, 31, critically hurt his Achilles' tendon in the first immunity challenge, resulting in doctors pulling him from the game while his tearful tribe looked on.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
During a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Figueroa’s family members grew tearful while the state laid out details of the case.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
Brooke Hogan has crafted a tearful tribute to her father Hulk Hogan, who died July 24, 2025 at the age of 71.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Season 48 winner Kyle Fraser, 31, critically hurt his Achilles' tendon in the first immunity challenge, resulting in doctors pulling him from the game while his tearful tribe looked on.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
During a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Figueroa’s family members grew tearful while the state laid out details of the case.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
-
Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
An opportunity to rebuild your emotional foundation arrives as Saturn teams up with Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the saddest bits of it, actually!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Sister Jean would pass away at age 106 this past October, a sad metaphor for the fate of Cinderella.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
-
All airports are depressing and scary; some go above and beyond.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
-
And people in Silicon Valley are after efficiency, which lacks humanity and can be horribly depressing.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
-
The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
McAdams got teary before Barbra Streisand took the stage to sing for Robert Redford.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That’s a lot of teary bro hugs as players pack their bags and walk out the dressing room door forever.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, in the Andante movement, the upper strings opened with a glassy sound before the mournful line of the cello entered.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Over the years, humpback whale songs have been recorded for human listening, with many describing the songs as having a haunting, mournful quality.—
Patrick Whittle,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
