held back tears
- choked upEmotionally unable to speak
- watery eyesExcess moisture in vision
- lump in throatTight feeling when emotional
- fought backDefended oneself actively
- suppressedForcibly held down
quivering lip · composure · welling up · misty-eyed · stoic · sniffled · overwhelmed · brave face · grief · emotional · restrained · struggling · glassy eyes · tight throat · breaking down · vulnerability · holding it together · bittersweet
emotional expression
held back tearsburst into tears
Cry suddenly, uncontrollably
bawled · let it all out · teared up · sobbed · wept
emotional intensity
held back tearsbroke down
Failed mechanically or emotionally
fell apart · wailed · lost it