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tearjerker

/ˌtɪərˈdʒɛrkər/
/ˈtɪədʒəkə/
IPA guide

Other forms: tearjerkers

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.

Definitions of tearjerker
  1. noun
    an excessively sentimental narrative
    see moresee less
    type of:
    narration, narrative, story, tale
    a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
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