tearstreaked

Tearstreaked is an adjective used to describe a person or surface that bears streaks left by tears, typically as a result of crying or distress. The term combines tear, referring to the drops produced by crying, with streaked, indicating lines or trails. The common form is tear-streaked, though tearstreaked as a closed compound is also encountered in contemporary writing.

In usage, tear-streaked describes emotional states and is frequently found in literary, journalistic, and film-criticism contexts. It conveys sadness, distress, or a sense of vulnerability without specifying the cause. The expression is often applied to faces, but it can describe other surfaces that show moisture marks, such as clothing, paper, or glass, to suggest the aftermath of crying or strong emotion. It is closely related to tear-stained or teary, yet tearstreaked emphasizes marks made by tears rather than the act of crying itself.

The term is typically descriptive and nonclinical, serving narrative or descriptive prose rather than medical terminology. It can contribute to mood, atmosphere, or character development by implying emotional impact or fatigue. While common in English-language writing, the precise style may vary with authorial preference for hyphenation or compound formation.

See also: tear-stained, teary, crying, streaked.