sobfest

plural sobfests

1. informalSomething sad or moving, especially a film.

   But the most star-crossed pair of them all was Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford in the cinematic sobfest The Way We Were.

   2000, Jan King, It's a Girl Thing: The Hilarious Truth About Women, Andrews McMeel Publishing, →ISBN, page 6

   2 more examples

   In terms of tonal errors, another common mishap is the maudlin sobfest—an essay that's foolishly and tearfully sentimental.

   2008, Alan Gelb, Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps: Crafting a Winning Personal Statement, Ten Speed Press, →ISBN, page 68

   Yeah, it might have even been a great pitch—for a film that could never be made: a Western epic with no gunfights and no romance, a three-hour sobfest that ends with the villain eating the hero's child.

   2012, Jess Walter, Beautiful Ruins, HarperCollins, →ISBN

   Synonyms: cryfest, tearjerker

2. informalAn episode of intense crying.

   I smiled and then looked away, feeling a bit awkward and on the verge of a full-out sobfest.

   2011, Thomas M. Hill, Warrior's Song, Lampas Books, →ISBN, page 228

   2 more examples

   During the menopause, one wrong word or even just a look from Tom could send her slamming doors throughout the house and taking refuge in her greenhouse for a private sobfest.

   2010, Louann Brizendine, The Male Brain: A Breakthrough Understanding of How Men and Boys Think, Three Rivers Press, →ISBN, page 121

   Every single time Chris and I have shared our story with others, both of us have started to cry. Not an all-out sobfest, but a few tears falling down our cheeks.

   2011, Cindy Beall, Healing Your Marriage When Trust Is Broken: Finding Forgiveness and Restoration, Harvest House Publishers, →ISBN, page 180

   Synonyms: cryfest