a tearjerker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tearjerker" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a movie, book, or song that evokes strong emotions, particularly sadness or nostalgia. Example: "The film was such a tearjerker that I found myself crying by the end of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's also a tearjerker.

The New Yorker

HERE ON EARTH A tearjerker for teenagers.

The New York Times

It was a tearjerker show, and everybody watched it.

The New York Times - Magazine

A study has found that people's moods were more affected after crying during a tearjerker.

Independent

The mood of the movie is wounded and ambiguous — it's the very opposite of a tearjerker.

The New Yorker

The tone of the film is wounded and ambiguous; it's the very opposite of a tearjerker.

The New Yorker

For all its melodrama "To Die Like a Man" is a not a tearjerker.

The New York Times

The "Holding On" video, already a tearjerker, is a powerful addition to those contributions.

The New Yorker

A superhero film might seem to have little in common with a tearjerker.

The Guardian - Film

His speech was already a tearjerker when he acknowledged his mother, who had passed away two weeks earlier.

The New Yorker

Almost every sports movie ever made features a tearjerker that inspires our heroes to snatch victory against insurmountable odds.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: while common in journalism and reviews, it may be too informal for serious literary criticism or academic sociology.

Common error

Do not use "a tearjerker" to describe actual, serious real-life tragedies or humanitarian crises, as the term implies a form of entertainment or calculated sentimentality. In those cases, use more respectful terms like "heartbreaking event" or "profound tragedy".

How to use

Learn how to use "a tearjerker" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig AI, "a tearjerker" functions as a countable noun phrase. It typically acts as a predicate nominative (e.g., "The movie was a tearjerker") or as an appositive to describe the nature of a specific piece of media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Entertainment Reviews

10%

Personal Blogs

5%

Less common in

Academic Papers

2%

Technical Manuals

1%

Legal Documents

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

With 60 high-quality examples provided by Ludwig, "a tearjerker" is clearly established as a staple of English media vocabulary. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used almost exclusively to describe films, books, or speeches that successfully elicit a crying response from the audience. Whether it is used in a positive sense to praise a film's emotional depth—as seen in The New Yorker—or in a slightly skeptical way to describe calculated sentimentality, it remains a powerful tool for writers. It is best used in reviews or storytelling where emotional honesty is the focus, providing a concise way to label the "tissue moments" of a narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heart-wrencher

Increases the intensity of the emotional pain described.

a weepie

A specifically British informal term for a sentimental film.

an emotional rollercoaster

Suggests a variety of high and low feelings rather than just sadness.

a touching film

A softer alternative that suggests gentle emotional impact.

a moving story

More neutral and less focused on the physical act of crying.

a poignant tale

Adds a layer of artistic depth and keen emotional resonance.

a sentimental piece

Focuses on the tenderness or nostalgic quality of the work.

a gut-wrencher

Implies a more visceral, almost painful emotional reaction.

a tragic narrative

Shifts focus to the formal genre of tragedy rather than the reaction.

an evocative work

Focuses on the ability to bring strong images or feelings to mind.

FAQs

How do I use "a tearjerker" in a sentence?

You can use it to categorize an emotional experience, for example: "The finale of the series was a total tearjerker that left no dry eyes in the room."

What can I say instead of "a tearjerker"?

Depending on the nuance, you can use alternatives like "a heart-wrencher", "a weepie", or "a moving story".

Is "a tearjerker" considered formal English?

It is generally considered neutral to informal. While frequently found in major newspapers like "The New York Times", it is more at home in reviews and lifestyle sections than in formal academic reports.

What is the difference between "a tearjerker" and "a tragedy"?

While a tragedy refers to a specific literary genre involving the downfall of a hero, "a tearjerker" is a more colloquial term focused specifically on the audience's emotional reaction (crying).