Synonyms of bawl

bawl 1 of 2

verb

ˈbȯl 

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

• cry
• sob
• weep
• scream
• grieve
• blub
• blubber
• whine
• mourn
• whimper
• greet
• lament
• howl
• groan
• squall
• wail
• moan
• sigh
• keen
• sniffle
• snivel
• bleat
• yowl
• mewl
• pule

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yell
• shout
• cry
• scream
• call
• holler
• roar
• thunder
• bellow
• bay
• sound off
• hollo
• vociferate
• shriek
• whoop
• shrill
• wail
• screech
• squeal
• squeak
• howl
• crow
• hail
• yowl
• caterwaul
• ululate
• speak out
• speak up
• yawp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whisper
• breathe
• murmur
• mumble
• mutter

bawl

2 of 2

noun

as in shriek

Related Words

• shriek
• whine
• cry
• whimper
• yowl
• yelp
• howl
• crying
• squall
• lamentation
• weeping
• sobbing
• keen
• lament
• whimpering
• plaint
• whining
• blubbering
• groan
• wail
• sniveling
• moan
• yammering

Dissimilar Words

• laugh
• chuckle
• giggle
• guffaw
• snicker
• cackle
• titter
• twitter
• chortle
• snigger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bawl

Verb

Besides playing the original Lehman brothers, the three actors also play the men’s wives, sons, in-laws, politicians, business partners, tech bros and even a bawling baby. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

Both men bawled in a viral clip that brought their accomplishment into full focus. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Noun

Instead, similar to other animals, newborn babies produce a heartbreaking (and ear-piercing) bawl. — Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

As the weekend’s big game approached, David Singleton could have staged his own super bawl. — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2022

Phrases Containing bawl

• bawl out