Definition

Noun: An excessively sentimental story, film, or other narrative designed to evoke a strong emotional response, typically sadness or pity, from its audience.

Usage

A "tearjerker" is used to describe a work of art, especially a movie, book, or song, that is deliberately crafted to be emotionally manipulative and make people cry. It often involves themes of tragedy, love, loss, or sacrifice. The term can be neutral but is frequently used in a slightly critical or humorous way to acknowledge the work's overt sentimentality.

Examples

• That movie about the loyal dog waiting for its owner is a classic tearjerker.
• She loves reading romantic tearjerkers on the weekend.
• The director is known for making powerful tearjerkers that leave the entire theater sniffling.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a real tearjerker": Emphasizes that something is a quintessential example of the genre.
  • The final scene, with the family reunion, was a real tearjerker.
• Used attributively (as an adjective) in informal contexts.
  • It was a tearjerker of a speech that had everyone reaching for tissues.

Variants and Related Words

• Tearjerking (adj.): Having the qualities of a tearjerker.
  • The tearjerking finale was both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Synonyms

• Weepie (informal, chiefly British)
• Sob story
• Sentimental drama

Antonyms

• Comedy
• Farce
• Satire

Idioms and Phrases

• "Pull at the heartstrings": This phrase describes the action a tearjerker performs. A tearjerker is designed to .
  • The documentary about the orphaned animals really pulled at the heartstrings; it was a total tearjerker.

Noun

1. an excessively sentimental narrative