tears

/ tɪəz /

plural noun

1. the clear salty solution secreted by the lacrimal glands that lubricates and cleanses the surface of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids

2. a state of intense frustration (esp in the phrase bored to tears )

3. weeping

4. presented so as to be easily assimilated

   reading without tears

Idioms and Phrases

see bore to death (tears); burst into (tears); crocodile tears. Also see under tear.

Example Sentences

The ensuing machinations would bore you to tears, but after only a year political gravity has reasserted itself.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"She passed away with our cat, who she loves," he said, breaking down in tears.

Read more on BBC

“And when I laid down on the floor next to her … she leaned over and started catching the tears, one at a time, as they were rolling down my cheek.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sadie’s parents said in a video that they were with rescuers when the radio call came in that she had been found alive, bringing them to tears.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Lutz, who will continue to work in the clinic that remains open, said through tears, “It’s not going to be the same without you ladies.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break 
• crack 
• damage 
• divide 
• grab 
• injure 
• mangle 
• pull 
• rive 
• rupture 
• separate 
• sever 
• shred 
• slash 
• snatch 
• split 
• wrench 
• yank