as in trickling
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Dissimilar Words
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
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Recent Examples of dribbling
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Westbrook’s reaction came after Boucher took a final heave rather than dribbling out the clock, a move widely frowned upon around the league.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Thunder players outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had trouble merely dribbling the ball, let alone serving as any type of legitimate scoring threat.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
Other key trends in beauty are dribbling into the allergy space, such as the microbiome buzz.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Technical on the ball with a penchant for dribbling through pressure in tight areas, Boudri has shown a consistent ability to separate from defenders and be a threat in the final third.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Tyler capped the opening frame by dribbling the length of the court for a layup and converting a 3-pointer off a steal from the press.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
But instead of prioritizing touching the paint then spraying the ball out to an open shooter, the Knicks have spiraled into iso-ball, over-dribbling and tough shots.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 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
Kevin is excellent when cutting onto his stronger right foot from the left wing, while Samuel Chukwueze is comfortable dribbling and passing in tight spaces.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Westbrook’s reaction came after Boucher took a final heave rather than dribbling out the clock, a move widely frowned upon around the league.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Thunder players outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had trouble merely dribbling the ball, let alone serving as any type of legitimate scoring threat.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
Other key trends in beauty are dribbling into the allergy space, such as the microbiome buzz.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Technical on the ball with a penchant for dribbling through pressure in tight areas, Boudri has shown a consistent ability to separate from defenders and be a threat in the final third.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Tyler capped the opening frame by dribbling the length of the court for a layup and converting a 3-pointer off a steal from the press.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
But instead of prioritizing touching the paint then spraying the ball out to an open shooter, the Knicks have spiraled into iso-ball, over-dribbling and tough shots.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dribbling
Verb
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Antnation Boho Smocked Top Set This $37 boho set is a one-and-done spring travel outfit that’s dripping in carefree, vacation-ready style.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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The singer can be seen in fan videos on social media performing with something taped to his chest and blood dripping from his eyes.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Muller has spent the past 12 years experiencing the ups and downs, fitful starts and stops her sport has endured since first splashing on the Swiss hockey scene as a 15-year-old by scoring her nation’s first bronze-medal clinching goal at the 2014 Sochi Games.—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Smaller kids will enjoy splashing around at the Penguin Play Bay, a (warm) shallow adventure lagoon, while adults seeking relaxation float down The Lost River, made to look like the site of ruins, or kick back in the Mystic Springs hot pool.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But neither is drooling on your neighbor’s shoulder.—
Adam Cheung,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
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This indulgent treat already has fans drooling—and many Costco members have been running to their local bakeries to see if the Cookie Bar Cake is still in stock.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Several homes searched Law enforcement agencies have searched at least two homes in connection with the investigation, but details are scant.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
And some have theorized that being a carrier for cystic fibrosis can defend against severe cholera, although the evidence for this theory is more scant.—
Roxanne Khamsi,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By washing white rice, the excess starch is washed off, as well as any oxidized rice bran oil coating the outside, which can add an unpleasant flavor to the cooked rice.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
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Drying Dishes The classic movie dishwashing scene shows one person washing dishes and another drying them.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Armed soldiers patrolled in droves, spreading hate and fear everywhere, blindfolding children, pointing guns, gawking, spitting, laughing at us like animals in the zoo.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
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In Network, as a harried TV executive, Duvall is similarly roaring, spitting some great Paddy Chayefsky soliloquies with relish.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While other local luxury properties have embraced a desert-chic aesthetic (think neutral hues, sparse decor, minimalist design), Casa Cody has gone in its own direction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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This styler has a pencil for spot-filling sparse brows and a soft spoolie for blending in product afterward.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Other ingredients sit in a bubbling pot.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In other parts of the country, popular anger is bubbling to the surface.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dribbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dribbling. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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