Tearful means producing or causing tears, especially in a sad or emotional situation. It can also refer to something that is likely to make someone cry, such as a moving story or piece of music.
Usage examples
She stood on stage, giving a tearful speech about her struggles and the importance of perseverance.
The movie's ending was so emotional that it left the entire audience tearful.
After their long-awaited reunion, the siblings exchanged tearful hugs, unable to contain their joy.
The heartbreaking news left the family in a tearful state of mourning.
As she read the heartfelt letter, tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't help but become tearful.
The film, which aired last week on CBS, features shots of teachers leaving school as the sun sets, carrying work home with them, and scenes of tearful goodbyes on the last day of school. (hechingerreport.org)
Nevertheless, after an exchange of tearful goodbyes, she boards the New York - bound steamship and descends to a bunk in steerage for what proves to be a seasickness - inducing voyage across a roiling ocean. (kamwilliams.com)
To ensure that Silvia does not suffer alone, Tobin is provided with his own back story of grief and loss, which Mr. Penn must relate in tearful moments when the plot takes a break from third world misery. (nytimes.com)