dribbling 1 of 2

adjective

as in trickling

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

dribbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dribble
1
as in dripping
to fall or let fall in or as if in drops water dribbling over the lip of the fountain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream rainwater dribbling along the partially clogged gutter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 dribbling
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
The Manchester United player ran a quick give-and-go with Nicolas Pépé, taking the short return pass and then dribbling through the Norwegian defense. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 Rogers’ role is not simply that of a winger, but more of an inside forward and box threat, and his game is less focused on dribbling. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 29 June 2026 In the 36th minute, Christian Pulisic was dribbling upfield when Tim made a heady cut into open space. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 25 June 2026 Doué’s ability to progress with the ball through defensive pressure, either by dribbling past defenders or by linking up with teammates, is a valuable attacking asset for his national team. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 2026 Since then, Wilson has been working out in Los Angeles, focusing on basics like shooting and dribbling ahead of the NBA Draft. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Constitutive skills are those implemented during open play and include dribbling, passing and shooting the ball, and opening up spaces. — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 17 June 2026 If given a few years to learn from Green and Steph Curry, perhaps those off-the-dribble jumpers, dribbling moves and passing reads can pop in the NBA game. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 June 2026 And then for soccer, dribbling is, like, just kicking it with your feet and keeping it close. — Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dribbling
  1. scant
  2. dripping
  3. splashing
  4. drooling
  5. sparse
  6. washing
  7. spitting
  8. scanty
Adjective
  • Roads a riddle near Micron plants So far, though, there are scant few homes in the area the city calls East Columbia, though interest in developing the area has piqued along with Micron’s fabs.
    — Mark Dee July 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2026
  • Even with the Golden State’s tax-incentive program now at $750 million annually, jobs are still scant, soundstages sit empty and vendors are shuttering nationwide.
    — Noah Wyle, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of scant
Verb
  • The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • The simulations that captured the localized effects of individual large impacts also produced wholesale recycling of crust back into the mantle, with material dripping down to depths of at least 600 kilometers.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 5 July 2026
Definition of dripping
Verb
  • Instead of splashing photos of their designer gowns all over social media for fans to commend or criticize, the four brides have taken a beat.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
  • As extreme heat hits Boston, residents are finding ways to stay cool, from splashing in Frog Pond to stocking up on water at Fenway Park, while city officials and utility crews urge people to take precautions.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of splashing
Verb
  • Isaacs said the symptoms of heat stress or heat stroke include excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, seizures or collapse.
    — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • This golden lasagna is the perfect way to offer a vegetarian option that meat-eaters will be drooling over.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026
Definition of drooling
Adjective
  • The foundation’s website is sparse, featuring a short mission statement, three stated goals, a donation button, and Pratt’s name.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026
  • Her efforts turned the exhibit into a showcase of Massachusetts products and culture instead of one of the sparse displays found elsewhere at the fair.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of sparse
Verb
  • Some physicians recommend washing your mouth out after use by gargling and rinsing your mouth with water.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Or keep your blowout intact when doing your makeup or washing your face thanks to these adorable terry cloth headbands.
    — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of washing
Verb
  • And then there were watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests and old fashioned sack races.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • Jenkins said Macias-Gomez was also charged with battery on a peace officer for spitting.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of spitting
Adjective
  • They are being asked to do it with scanty documentation, including proof that the Historic Preservation Board is causing unnecessary delay.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • Although the details are scanty, the potential DOE funding is likely to be directed towards this demonstration facility.
    — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
Definition of scanty

Browse Nearby Words

dribbles
dribbling
driblet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dribbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dribbling. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dribbling

Nglish: Translation of dribbling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All