1
as in to cry
to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress
he bawled for days after his dog died
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to yell
to speak so as to be heard at a distance
the mover was bawling for help as the refrigerator was about to slip out of his hands
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shriek
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bawl
Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024
Traumatized doesn’t begin to describe Emily’s reaction as Shawkat slowly starts bawling in disbelief.
—Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024
Washington Post, 21 July 2021
Distillers bury their faces in their hands and bawl after learning MLB’s winter meetings will go virtual.
—Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Verb
The beagles had been ranging in the swamp for less than 10 minutes when Mutt bawled loud and clear on a red-hot track.
—Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024
Traumatized doesn’t begin to describe Emily’s reaction as Shawkat slowly starts bawling in disbelief.
—Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024
Noun
That night, Faris saw a woman near her bawl and wide-eyed grown-ups run.
—Washington Post, 21 July 2021
Distillers bury their faces in their hands and bawl after learning MLB’s winter meetings will go virtual.
—Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawl
Verb
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With screaming, crying, and crash outs abound, Madix’s high pony mirrored her demeanor: commanding, polished, and captivating.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
23 June 2025
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When the curtain is lifted, Matthew is crying, and Andreas is beaming.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
22 June 2025
Verb
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After Orange County prosecutors appealed his original five-year sentence, a man who chased, threatened and yelled racial slurs at a pregnant Black woman will be resentenced, facing a maximum sentence between 38 years to life in state prison.—
Andrea Klick,
Oc Register,
24 June 2025
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The caller said six or seven juveniles ran him off the road and yelled expletives at him and and flipped him off.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
Noun
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But deeper in, percussion livens up under orgiastic shrieks and a cameo on guitar from Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 June 2025
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As his kids play around him, their playful shrieks blend with the screams and explosions of war.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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But they were awakened around 2 a.m. Saturday by someone pounding on the front door and shouting, asking to enter and identifying himself as a police officer, the family recounted.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
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Here, writer Sam Stone shouts out modern-style amari that are perfect for summer sipping.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Pretty soon, the whine of the gears, the shriek of the diff, and the sheer cacophony of combustion make conversation all but impossible.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
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Men clad in DayGlo vests and hardhats chatted as the whine of a flying cargo drone echoed through the valley.—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The Padres-specific fits are so enticing, some locals might weep.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Another piece reveals the face of a weeping woman, depicted with a hairstyle characteristic of the Flavian period, which dated from A.D. 69-96.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The Pacers' star went down and immediately screamed in pain.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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