tear-jerker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They could even create different endings for different kinds of fan: a happy ending for the romantics and a tear-jerker for those who appreciate a good tragedy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

It’s the kind of deliciously painful tear-jerker that’s hard to write and even harder to believably pull off, but it’s also not surprising that this particular pairing will break your heart so beautifully.

From Salon • Sep. 2, 2025

The famous line from “Love Story” — that “love means never having to say you’re sorry” — plays well in a swoony tear-jerker, but doesn’t hold up so well in the light of day.

From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2023

"It is a real tear-jerker, and the audience applauded wildly at the end. It was in that moment I realised that my home in this world was on a stage."

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2023

"All right," I muttered savagely, "let's go and get a tear-jerker to write!"

From The Harbor by Poole, Ernest