tearful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tearful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is crying or is likely to cry, often conveying strong emotions such as sadness or joy. Example: "She gave a tearful goodbye as she boarded the plane, knowing it would be a long time before she saw her family again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though Miss Suu Kyi is under house arrest, she was able to walk to her gate and, in tears herself, greet the tearful protesters.Miss Suu Kyi's public appearance her first since she was detained four years ago proved a boon to the demonstrators.

The Economist

Others were terrified, frightened, confused, angry, intimidated and tearful".

The Guardian

"O thou who are close to God, be the middle man between us and God," bellowed the preacher, prompting a noisy chorus of tearful sobs from the crowd in Jamkaran, a 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-old 1,000-year-oldskirts of the holy city of Qom, home to Iran'shrinegions ruling esthelishment.

The Guardian

I, for instance, remember being very tearful in hospital, a common side-effect of a stroke.

The Guardian

Such a good Australia Day. #hottest100 Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 6.31pm AEST07:31 It's Birds of Tokyo now with Lanterns, a song seemingly designed to soundtrack tearful montages on the X Factor.

The Guardian

Sunderland slipped into the Third Division for the first time in their history as a tearful Stokoe left the club after ultimately failing to arrest the slide started by the McMenemy regime.

The Guardian - Sport

The Nobel prize is so important that a tearful reaction would only demean it.

The Guardian

In modern Copenhagen, Claudia tries to sell the jewels she stole from the old baron but ends up fleeing the shop and making a tearful confession to him about the theft.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One woman brought a dozen cuddly toy dogs for children, driving off quickly as one of the fathers became tearful with gratitude.

The Guardian

Is there anything noticeable about the student's mood (very changeable moods, tearful, very tired)?

The Guardian

Wilson, as well as the Herald's publisher, Peter Fray, and the Age's editor-in-chief, Paul Ramadge, all walked out on the same day after tearful goodbyes to staff.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tearful" to vividly describe situations filled with sorrow, loss, or overwhelming emotion. It adds a layer of emotional depth to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "tearful" when the context is not genuinely emotional. Using it inappropriately can make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

"Tearful" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something characterized by tears or sorrow. Ludwig AI validates its common usage in expressing emotional states, particularly in descriptive writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tearful" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that vividly describes situations filled with sorrow or overwhelming emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best used in contexts where genuine emotion is present to avoid sounding melodramatic. Alternatives like "weepy", "sobbing", and "misty-eyed" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific emotional tone you aim to convey. The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Crying

A general term for expressing sadness through tears.

Weepy

Implies a tendency to cry easily or frequently.

Teary-eyed

Similar to misty-eyed, but slightly more intense.

Sobbing

Focuses on the act of crying with convulsive gasps.

On the verge of tears

Indicates being close to crying but not actively shedding tears.

Lachrymose

Describes a tendency to weep or express sorrowful feelings.

Misty-eyed

Refers to eyes filled with tears, often due to emotion.

Distressed

Emphasizes the emotional suffering causing the tears.

Grief-stricken

Highlights the deep sorrow and mourning.

Heartbroken

Describes a profound sense of sadness and loss.

FAQs

What does "tearful" mean?

"Tearful" means expressing sorrow or sadness, often accompanied by tears. It describes a state of being filled with or likely to produce tears.

What can I say instead of "tearful"?

You can use alternatives like "weepy", "sobbing", or "misty-eyed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "tearful" in a sentence?

You can use "tearful" to describe a person, event, or expression. For example, "The meeting ended with a tearful farewell" or "She gave a tearful apology".

Is "tearful" the same as "teary"?

While similar, "tearful" implies a stronger emotional state and potential for crying, whereas "teary" simply means having tears in one's eyes, like being "misty-eyed".