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
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Recent Examples of tearful
After a tumultuous and tearful enemies-to-lovers journey, brilliant scholarship student Ruby Hall (Harriet Herbig-Matten) and troubled but sensitive rich kid James Beaufort (Damian Hardung) finally gave in to their emotions (and passion) in the season 1 finale.
—
Kristen Baldwin September 2, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The defender appeared tearful on the pitch after this side’s 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim on Saturday.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
He was released from federal custody on parole Friday and had a tearful reunion with his family after months apart.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
The tearful goodbye marked a major milestone for Sánchez Bezos and her family.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Kristen Baldwin September 2, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The defender appeared tearful on the pitch after this side’s 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim on Saturday.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
He was released from federal custody on parole Friday and had a tearful reunion with his family after months apart.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
The tearful goodbye marked a major milestone for Sánchez Bezos and her family.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearful
Adjective
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To navigate emotional volatility, understand what behaviors are acceptable to you and create clear boundaries with the ones that are not.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The emotions of that victory two years ago were apparent at the time — Sirianni was bombastic exiting the field after the emotional win — but there is no concept of revenge this time.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This one is trickier and sadder to think about.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
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Composite image created by Newsweek shows two older people looking worried and a piggy bank with a sad face on its side.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 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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His relentless prepackaged positivity — even in the wake of depressing game day results — turned him into something of a punch line.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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The depressing effect of the seasonality is somewhat offset by the ‘5’ effect.—
Bill Sarubbi,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Adjective
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The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
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Want the poop on this pathetic history?—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Joining hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie on the couch, Farizan grew teary while sharing the bittersweet news.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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And in recent years, Venice has offered its share of memorable red-carpet looks (think Lady Gaga and her haute couture headpiece) and viral moments that draw the attention of the world (a teary Brendan Fraser basking in a standing ovation).—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Her powerhouse voice, singing intensely sad words, was piercing, clarion, mournful, and hopeful, all at once.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
18 Sep. 2025
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The backstory for the maze follows the mournful tale of Mary Worth after the tragic death of her family.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearful. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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