tearful

adjective

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

Synonyms of tearful

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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.
Her tearful, climactic phone call with Heath Ledger's character is absolutely devastating. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 In a stunning courtroom admission before Thompson’s tearful widow, Paulette Thompson, and various family members, Mangione, 28, disclosed new details of his plot to target the healthcare executive. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 The Charlie’s Angels star then joined the woman in the studio audience, giving her a tearful hug and sitting next to her before recounting the story of their initial meeting. — Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 By the end of the speech, a tearful Tom does, if not forgive, at least exonerate his son. — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for tearful

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Browse Nearby Words

tear fault
tearful
tear gas
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Cite this Entry

“Tearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tearful. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tearful

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tearful

Nglish: Translation of tearful for Spanish Speakers

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