tearful

adjective

tear·​ful ˈtir-fəl How to pronounce tearful (audio)
1
: flowing with or accompanied by tears
tearful entreaties
2
: causing tears : teary
a tearful eulogy
tearfully adverb
tearfulness noun

Examples of tearful in a Sentence

He looked up at me with his tearful eyes and asked for help. the tearful parting of two lovers
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.
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 Though not there for the taping in person due to her trip to rehab after being found guilty on charges of DUI and DWI, the Grand Dame did appear in a tearful video message to her fellow costars Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Dr. Wendy Osefo, Mia Thornton, Stacey Rusch and Keiarna Stewart. Dave Quinn, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tearful 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tearful was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near tearful

Cite this Entry

“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tearful. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

tearful

adjective
tear·​ful ˈti(ə)r-fəl How to pronounce tearful (audio)
: flowing with, accompanied by, or causing tears
tearfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tearful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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