sobbed; sobbing
1
a
: to catch the breath audibly in a spasmodic contraction of the throat
b
: to cry or weep with convulsive catching of the breath
2
: to make a sound like that of a sob or sobbing
1
: to bring to a specified state by sobbing
sobbed himself to sleep
2
: to utter with sobs
sobbed out her grief
1
: an act of sobbing
2
: a sound like that of a sob
plural SOBs or SOB's
slang, sometimes offensive
: son of a bitch
He's one arrogant/tough/greedy SOB.
… a guy who brought two dozen roses to a first coffee date and told you he felt like the luckiest SOB on the planet in the first five minutes.—
Today
TodayExamples of sob in a Sentence
Verb
He began to sob uncontrollably.
She could not stop sobbing.
“I hate you,” she sobbed.
Noun (2)
I hate that miserable SOB.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025
When a video emerged of him sobbing in his locker room stall after coming agonizingly close to winning the title a year ago, his entire native nation commiserated with his pain.
—David Close, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
As though feelings have been building up for a while and only a good sob will let them out?
—Jessica Stanley, People.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sob
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The older versions of their characters are played to a full-on sobbing effect by James Garner and Gena Rowlands.
—Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025
When a video emerged of him sobbing in his locker room stall after coming agonizingly close to winning the title a year ago, his entire native nation commiserated with his pain.
—David Close, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Noun
In one corner, an elderly woman’s cries pierce the quiet sobs of others.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
As though feelings have been building up for a while and only a good sob will let them out?
—Jessica Stanley, People.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sob
Cite this Entry
“Sob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sob. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sob
1 of 2 verb
sobbed; sobbing
1
: to weep especially with short gasping sounds
2
: to bring to a specified state by sobbing
sobbed myself to sleep
3
a
: to make a sound like that of sobbing
the wind sobbed through the trees
b
: to utter with sobs
sobbed out their story
sob
2 of 2 noun1
: an act of sobbing
2
: a sound of or like that of sobbing
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share