ugly cry
Snot-streaked emotional release
An ugly cry is intense, uncontrolled weeping that distorts the face—red eyes, scrunched features, snot, gasping sobs.
The phrase acknowledges that real grief or overwhelming emotion isn't photogenic: I had an ugly cry in the bathroom after the funeral.
It contrasts with composed, dignified tears shed attractively in movies.
Convulsive crying aloud
- bawlingCrying noisily and hard
- wailingProlonged mournful crying
- blubberingCrying noisily and uncontrollably
- heavingMoving up and down
snotty · puffy eyes · red-faced · runny nose · hiccuping · gasping · shuddering · hyperventilating
Impossible to restrain
- messyLacking order or neatness
- rawIn original state
- unrestrainedNot held back
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
breakdown · letting loose · shameless · overwhelming · flooding · unfiltered · full-body · loud
Quality of being genuine
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- rawnessUnrefined or exposed state
- emotional honestyTruthful expression of feelings
- exposureState of being unprotected
tenderness · being seen · breaking down · realness · humanness · intimacy · trust · empathy
Intense sorrow from loss
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
loss · trauma · bereavement · sorrow · mourning · tragedy · heartache · bad news
Discharge of pent-up feelings
- releaseTo let go
- purgingForcible elimination of unwanted
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
relief · cleansing · healing · breakthrough · venting · outpouring · processing · surrender
sobbing
Convulsive crying aloud
- bawlingCrying noisily and hard
- wailingProlonged mournful crying
- blubberingCrying noisily and uncontrollably
heaving · snotty · puffy eyes · red-faced · runny nose · hiccuping · gasping · shuddering · hyperventilating · blotchy
uncontrollable
Impossible to restrain
- messyLacking order or neatness
- rawIn original state
- unrestrainedNot held back
meltdown · breakdown · letting loose · shameless · overwhelming · flooding · unfiltered · full-body · loud · intense
authenticity
Quality of being genuine
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- rawnessUnrefined or exposed state
- emotional honestyTruthful expression of feelings
exposure · tenderness · being seen · breaking down · realness · humanness · intimacy · trust · empathy · connection
grief
Intense sorrow from loss
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
devastation · loss · trauma · bereavement · sorrow · mourning · tragedy · heartache · bad news · breakup
emotional release
Discharge of pent-up feelings
- releaseTo let go
- purgingForcible elimination of unwanted
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
letting go · relief · cleansing · healing · breakthrough · venting · outpouring · processing · surrender · exhaustion
ugly cryteary-eyed
Eyes welling up
holding back tears · stiff upper lip · misty-eyed · eyes welling up · welling up