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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearful
The incident was quickly followed by Smith winning the best actor award and taking the stage again for a tearful speech.
—
Lauren Coates, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
At a sometimes tearful meeting held at EPA headquarters and online on Wednesday, leaders of the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights told staff members that the EPA was beginning to implement that directive.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 6 Feb. 2025
Sunny Hostin made a tearful reveal on Wednesday's episode of The View, as the cohost told her fellow panelists during a live segment about heart health that her aunt died of a heart attack one day prior.
—EW.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Flower deliveries arrived at the reception desk, while visitors were greeted with long and tearful hugs.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Lauren Coates, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
At a sometimes tearful meeting held at EPA headquarters and online on Wednesday, leaders of the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights told staff members that the EPA was beginning to implement that directive.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 6 Feb. 2025
Sunny Hostin made a tearful reveal on Wednesday's episode of The View, as the cohost told her fellow panelists during a live segment about heart health that her aunt died of a heart attack one day prior.
—EW.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Flower deliveries arrived at the reception desk, while visitors were greeted with long and tearful hugs.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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In these dynamics, emotional depth and vulnerability take a backseat to make way for efficiency.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Both women appeared emotional as the crowd finished the song with enthusiastic cheers for the birthday boy.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Especially sad is the case of Netta, one of Liat’s three children, who survived the attack.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
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But after a third season that saw Billy (Gil Bellows) strut around with a coterie of women from a Robert Palmer video before dropping dead of a brain tumor, this outing is remarkably grounded, poignant…and sad.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 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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Whether the Nationals pitching staff can hold up, healthy and effective in an incredibly difficult division, is another pressing question — with a depressing answer: probably not — but at least the bats will be worth watching.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article Super Bowl parties are on the rise this year thanks to the need to decompress from a most depressing start to 2025, along with the rising cost of packages at bars and restaurants.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In a bravura theatrical performance, Hawke makes the genius truly pathetic.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2025
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Blonsky imbues the lead character of Tracy Turnblad, who could be a pathetic figure in lesser hands, with enough vitality to make the whole film feel fresh, even close to two decades after its release.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Depp plays her character’s final moments with an array of conflicting emotions that let us into Ellen’s mind, from teary resignation to sensual seduction to bitter determination.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
22 Jan. 2025
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On Wednesday, February 5, a teary Ripa shared that a vet had come to her family's New York City home to put the 17-year-old Shih Tzu to sleep.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Brown’s sound design mixes Sousa-like military fanfares with mournful underscoring for Lavinia’s tragedy, neither of which has much to do with Kidwell’s preshow music.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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Chaos quickly unfolds when the bickering, different-strokes twins find the calamitous heirloom—although Perkins keeps the first act mostly mournful, as the boys struggle with the onslaught of death around them.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone in the room was likely weepy a few times throughout the night, but no one at home needed to worry about finding their tissues.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
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Shyne, who is also the cinematographer, finds terrific beauty in Carlie’s face with its weepy eyes and silvered hair peeking out from his cap.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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