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.
More than a hundred people gathered Saturday night for a candlelight vigil on the quad at William Jewell, sharing tearful stories, hugging and honoring a beloved teammate, student, friend and son. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026 Federer gave an emotional and tearful speech during his induction ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Then, outside the Long Beach courtroom, Gonzalez and Bustillos’ mother shared a tearful hug. — Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The royal addressed her relationship with Epstein in a tearful interview. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 28 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 4 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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