as in trickling
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1
as in dripping
to fall or let fall in or as if in drops
water dribbling over the lip of the fountain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
rainwater dribbling along the partially clogged gutter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in drooling
to let saliva or some other substance flow from the mouth
picnickers dribbling in eager anticipation of the hamburgers on the grill
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dribbling
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 30 May 2026
During a game, one of the boys was just standing there watching a boy from the other team dribbling.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
The walkaround tasting will feature unlimited eats, from smash burgers — the trendy pancake-flat kind with cheese dribbling down a latticework of crispy edges — to classically juicy, skyscraper-thick patties, paired with snacks, liquor and desserts, Gonzalez says.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Wembanyama’s highlights included dribbling behind his back to avoid Avdija at halfcourt, backing him down to the top of the key, spinning around him and running free to the rim for a two-handed dunk midway through the first quarter.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Nothing, though, like the sound of basketballs dribbling in the middle of the night.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
After the foul was given, Camavinga decided to temporarily stop Bayern’s players from taking the ball, briefly dribbling it away from the opposition before picking it up with his hands.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
After Blakes lost the ball dribbling toward the basket for what would have been a tying shot, the Commodores had to foul three times just to get Notre Dame to the free-throw line.
—Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Taylor Huff got one back in the 56th minute, dribbling into the box and finishing off the left post.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In a recent lab demonstration done by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the compact humanoid moved with surprising fluidity—dribbling, passing, and sinking shots after practising thousands of simulated drills.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
This is designed to get the Georgian into one-on-one situations where his dribbling ability comes to the fore.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 30 May 2026
During a game, one of the boys was just standing there watching a boy from the other team dribbling.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
The walkaround tasting will feature unlimited eats, from smash burgers — the trendy pancake-flat kind with cheese dribbling down a latticework of crispy edges — to classically juicy, skyscraper-thick patties, paired with snacks, liquor and desserts, Gonzalez says.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Wembanyama’s highlights included dribbling behind his back to avoid Avdija at halfcourt, backing him down to the top of the key, spinning around him and running free to the rim for a two-handed dunk midway through the first quarter.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Nothing, though, like the sound of basketballs dribbling in the middle of the night.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
After the foul was given, Camavinga decided to temporarily stop Bayern’s players from taking the ball, briefly dribbling it away from the opposition before picking it up with his hands.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
After Blakes lost the ball dribbling toward the basket for what would have been a tying shot, the Commodores had to foul three times just to get Notre Dame to the free-throw line.
—Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Taylor Huff got one back in the 56th minute, dribbling into the box and finishing off the left post.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dribbling
Verb
-
The cannister featured an image of an angry mutt with saliva dripping from its jaws.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
-
Add saucers under containers to catch water to prevent staining the balcony surface and reduce the amount of water dripping on the downstairs neighbors.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Then, the monotony of the cave’s silence was broken by the sound of splashing as two divers with headlamps bubbled up from beneath the water.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Summer was for splashing around.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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In the other room, Kayda is entertaining Bryce and Zach, who are openly drooling, and the scene could not look more like Challengers if Zendaya were playing Kayda.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
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This plant, also known as rose bay, may also cause drooling, abdominal pain, depression, colic and even death, according to the ASPCA.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Polling on the primary is scant, though a December poll released by the Hill campaign showed her behind Ford by double digits.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Lemongrass May Have Blood Pressure-Lowering Effects Though far from conclusive, there is scant evidence that lemongrass may exert beneficial effects on your blood pressure.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
In fact, keeping denim looking its best requires not washing them very often at all.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
Any washing machine leaks would cause excessive damage to carpet, and the flooring would likely need to be removed and replaced.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Everybody knows the old saying about spitting on your bait for good luck.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
-
Especially women, with all those drunken servicemen rolling through, packs of them, fights spilling out of the cafés, catcalls and spitting in the streets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Visible traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains sparse, estimated at just 15% of pre-war levels, according to JPMorgan.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Travelers should prepare for extreme desert conditions, limited services, and sparse cell coverage, especially during warmer months.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Verb
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But an unlikely story is bubbling up in the nation as Chinese fans cheer on unlikely amateur soccer players – from delivery drivers to villagers – now playing in packed stadiums back home in a rare sign, some believe, that the Beautiful Game may finally be taking root in the nation.—
Reagan Yip,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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The laughter stops immediately, and a familiar look of bubbling rage returns to Ruben’s eyes.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dribbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dribbling. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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