tearjerker

American  

[teer-jur-ker] / ˈtɪərˌdʒɜr kər /

noun

1. a story, play, movie, or the like that is sentimental or sad enough to evoke pangs of emotion to the point of tears.

   This new version of a classic tearjerker is touted as the must-see film of the holiday season, but it lacks the genuine warmth of the original.

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Other Word Forms

• tearjerking
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tearjerker

First recorded in 1930–35; tear ¹ + jerk ¹ + -er ¹

Explanation

A heartwarming movie about the cat and dog who become best friends, are tragically separated, and then reunite years later — much to the joy and relief of a misty-eyed audience — would easily be classified as a tearjerker. A tearjerker is an emotionally powerful story that often brings the audience to tears. It typically explores deep themes like love, loss, and victory, resonating strongly with viewers or readers. By featuring characters who face significant challenges or life-altering events, these narratives allow the audience to empathize with the characters’ struggles and triumphs. Engaging with a tearjerker can be a positive emotional journey, causing reflection on personal experiences and feelings.

Example Sentences

Since its Cannes premiere, “Sentimental Value” has been lauded for such scenes, which underline the subtle force of this intelligent tearjerker about a frayed family trying to repair itself.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

Written and recorded over three weeks in late 2023, Who Believes In Angels? has received rave reviews from critics, who have called it "a gutsy, flamboyant tearjerker" and a "late-career high".

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

She has no children or partner, but this is not some clichéd tearjerker in which our protagonist must fill the hole in herself with a baby or a lover.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

But viewers may be more inclined to weep at how this would-be tearjerker relies on its remarkable star to uplift an otherwise insufferable film.

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2024

In the series, Mazin and Druckmann create a romantic backstory for the two characters, creating one of the series’ most talked about tearjerker episodes.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023