blubbering 1 of 3

Definition of blubberingnext

blubbering

2 of 3

noun

blubbering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of blubber
as in sobbing
to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress the poor child was blubbering because he had fallen and skinned his knee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blubbering
Verb
The pearl-clutchers are stuck in the past, blubbering over things like the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War or the Waffen-SS slaughtering 84 American soldiers captured in Malmedy, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Doug McIntyre, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025 Wanting to make Lambert more than some blubbering wreck, Cartwright emphasized her common sense. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blubbering
Adjective
  • But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.
    Michael Granberry, Dallas News, 17 Jan. 2020
Noun
  • It’s been splendid watching the weeping and gnashing of teeth from American MAGA supporters.
    Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In the hands of the six-piece band, the shivering chords of that miniature apocalyptic soul song build into a cathartic climax, which Wasner punctuates with weeping slide guitar.
    Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The dispatcher then asked who the woman was sobbing in the background.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Robert Wanner, the slain mother’s husband, arrived at the Granite Bay home with Carlie and found Ashley sobbing, strapped into a high chair with an unfinished supply of dry Cheerios in front of her.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
Noun
  • How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tail wagging, happy whining, and excited greetings when your husband comes home tell me Eddie likes him.
    Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
  • No politics, no posturing, no whining, just winning.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Strout is not a sentimental writer.
    Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
  • One mom also said that her daughter asked for a sentimental and practical gift, namely a pretty diploma frame.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Even its final bars of Gregorian chanting, one of many bells and whistles stuffed between the mawkish choruses, can’t lift this track out of the morass.
    Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The book’s final section, comprising a reunion at a funeral, could have been mawkish but instead is moving … A riveting tale.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blubbering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blubbering. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on blubbering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster