in tears
Visibly emotionally overcome
In tears describes someone who is crying or on the verge of crying, typically from sadness, frustration, or being overwhelmed.
She was in tears by the end of the movie.
The phrase emphasizes visible emotional distress rather than quiet weeping, and often appears after verbs like burst, break down, or end up: He burst in tears when he heard the news.
Shedding tears audibly
- sobbingConvulsive crying aloud
- bawlingCrying noisily and hard
- blubberingCrying noisily and uncontrollably
- snivelingTearful, pitiful complaining
whimpering · wailing · red-eyed · puffy · streaming · watery · blotchy · tissues
Convulsive crying aloud
- weepingShedding tears audibly
- choked upEmotionally unable to speak
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
distraught · heartbroken · anguished · emotional · miserable · wretched · forlorn · despondent
weeping
Shedding tears audibly
- sobbingConvulsive crying aloud
- bawlingCrying noisily and hard
- blubberingCrying noisily and uncontrollably
sniveling · whimpering · wailing · red-eyed · puffy · streaming · watery · blotchy · tissues · handkerchief
sobbing
Convulsive crying aloud
- weepingShedding tears audibly
- choked upEmotionally unable to speak
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
upset · distraught · heartbroken · anguished · emotional · miserable · wretched · forlorn · despondent · bereft
mourning
Period following loss
- bereavementState following loss
- lossBeing without something
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
heartache · anguish · grieving · lamentation · despair · woe · suffering · tragedy · funeral · condolences
in tearsdry-eyed
Not shedding tears
tearless · stoic · composed · unmoved · stone-faced
in tearsbeaming
Smiling very broadly
laughing · all smiles · in stitches · elated · overjoyed
crying, tears, tearful, tearing, teary, tearfully, teary-eyed