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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bawl
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Many were left bawling after seeing such a genuine interaction caught on camera, while others asked why the dogs sleep in a kennel outside.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Verb
Eusexua offers a soundtrack for bedrooms and basements fit for balling and bawling sessions.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Many were left bawling after seeing such a genuine interaction caught on camera, while others asked why the dogs sleep in a kennel outside.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawl
Verb
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In another video, Johnson picked up a second infant and held a cloth to the baby’s mouth and nose for several seconds while the child was crying.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
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Though both of them tear up, neither of them openly cries.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cooper’s big brother yelled excitedly when first responders arrived at the Vetta Sports Soccerdome in Webster Groves.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The shriek of mourning is not a metaphor but an ongoing condition the medium makes material.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The actor Marisa Abela plays her in a binary state of panic and swagger by sobbing like a dejected child or slyly grinning like one who’s about to wolf down an ice-cream cake.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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The paramedics arrived on scene, reassuring the huddled, sobbing mess of Mom and us children that all would be okay.—
Des Moines Register,
Des Moines Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once the pedestrians are out of the way, the car slowly pulls into the intersection before stopping again as the HSI agents approach, shouting instructions for the driver to stop.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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As the brawl unfolded, the crowd could be heard shouting profanity.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
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These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The low sound of a woman weeping flows through the heavy silence that otherwise fills the room.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
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Some relatives of victims wept as the verdicts were read.—
Jeff Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The immaculate slouchiness of this pullover screams spring in the best way, especially when paired with a denim skirt or barrel jeans.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
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Hallways filled with screaming kids?—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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