tearjerker

noun

tear·​jerk·​er ˈtir-ˌjər-kər How to pronounce tearjerker (audio)
: a story, song, play, film, or broadcast that moves or is intended to move its audience to tears
tear-jerking adjective

Examples of tearjerker in a Sentence

I'm not in the mood to see a tearjerker. Let's watch something funny instead.
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.
Even more breathtaking than Williams' entrance, though, was her brief scene beside the bed of Jen's dying grandfather, which would ultimately kick off the first of countless tearjerker moments peppered throughout the series. Jen Juneau, People.com, 24 May 2025 And with all that coming-of-age angst came plenty of tearjerker moments, from family struggles and sudden tragedies to the bitter lows of young love. Jen Juneau, People.com, 24 May 2025 Here's where the 'Love on the Spectrum' season 3 couples stand today 2 Comments Season 3 of Love on the Spectrum was a tearjerker. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Zero Day, the new political thriller starring Robert De Niro, hit 55 million views, and The Life List, a feel-good tearjerker starring Sofia Carson, landed at 67 million. Catherine Baab, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tearjerker

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tearjerker was in 1912

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tearjerker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tearjerker. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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