as in crying
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in sobbing
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
2
as in shouting
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 bawling
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
But the night will be more remembered for the emotional tribute that had Marchand bawling by the end of it.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
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
For sure, John would be bawling.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dogs can read your emotions and Julie was bawling like crazy.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
But the night will be more remembered for the emotional tribute that had Marchand bawling by the end of it.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
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
For sure, John would be bawling.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawling
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Verb
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But producers kept the cameras rolling throughout Shandi’s distress, capturing her sobbing frame and even filming a tearful phone call with her boyfriend back home.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
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There’s Pete Carroll holding the hand of his sobbing grandson as television cameras invaded his personal space.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Minnesotans wrapped scarves around their faces to block the tear gas and cold, shouting and whistling at ICE agents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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Lyman recalled a massive weekend in Long Beach with 80,000 attendees that resulted in only one arrest—a drunk fan who took Ice-T’s lyrics too literally and started shouting at the police.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the credits rolled after 136 British minutes, the theater filled with the sounds of women openly weeping while laughing at themselves for weeping.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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Breakups always took place in the rain, the sky weeping for our heroines’ lonely, broken hearts.—
Alexandra Romanoff,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The details Christine Smith, who's employed at the auto repair shop Pasadena Bimmer next door, was working the front desk when the man came running inside, yelling for help.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Dash camera video from Newton’s police cruiser doesn’t capture the shooting, but Newton can be heard yelling commands for Sanders to stop and show his hands.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Over the past few years, LaBeouf has managed to keep his screaming to a minimal and (mostly) onscreen habit.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Running, screaming, and after sliding on my knees.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bawling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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