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Showing results for tearful. Search instead for tearful/3.
Definitions

tearful

[teer-fuhl] / ˈtɪər fəl /
ADJECTIVE
crying, very upset
Synonyms
WEAK
bawling blubbering blubbery distressed dolorous in tears lachrymose lamentable lamenting moist mournful pathetic pitiable pitiful poignant sad sniveling sobbing sorrowful teary watery weeping weepy wet whimpering woeful
Antonyms
WEAK
cheerful happy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"A counsellor was coming to Stephen's house when I was living there. I was very tearful day to day."

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

The demonstrations in L.A. were often tearful affairs, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

"We keep hearing missiles over our heads. I’m terrified," the artist posted in a tearful video on Instagram Saturday.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

On Feb. 4, she posted a tearful video plea on her Instagram account, accompanied by her brother and sister.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Cassiopeia, still sad from her tearful leave-taking with Nutsawoo back at Ashton Place, was silent.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.