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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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
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 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
His speed, dribbling and passing ability make the Galaxy go, opening up space for opportunity for his teammates.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
And for each ex-soccer star on the bite-sized pitch is a ghost of her former self, out-running, out-dribbling, out-playing each and every player on the field.
—Grace Perry, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
Diego Cuin, originally from Guatemala, started by dribbling the ball by himself.
—Mathew Miranda
december 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Other pictures included Jack dribbling as Brady and Towns watched.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
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
Michelsen aced Tien with a serve that ticked the top of the net before dribbling over.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 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
His speed, dribbling and passing ability make the Galaxy go, opening up space for opportunity for his teammates.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
And for each ex-soccer star on the bite-sized pitch is a ghost of her former self, out-running, out-dribbling, out-playing each and every player on the field.
—Grace Perry, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
Diego Cuin, originally from Guatemala, started by dribbling the ball by himself.
—Mathew Miranda
december 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Other pictures included Jack dribbling as Brady and Towns watched.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dribbling
Verb
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The restaurant closed for the day after sustaining interior damage, including inches of standing water on the floor and leaks dripping from the ceiling in several areas.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Keep your faucets dripping throughout the weekend into Tuesday to keep your pipes from freezing.—
Star-Telegram staff,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Currently, sewage and industrial waste drops from culvert pipes onto rocks below, creating splashing that releases airborne pollutants.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As for tools, Byatt employs a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, some plastic wrap to control splashing once the buttermilk separates from the fat solids, and a bowl of ice water to help rinse out the last remaining buttermilk.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Duff wrote alongside a drooling-face emoji.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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But pets who eat poinsettia flowers or leaves might develop drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The White House offered scant details about the deal, which Trump announced the day after the stock market saw one of its worst days in months in response to his tariff threat.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Goetz understood this disorder not as the product of scant civic resources or state retreat but rather as the result of liberal misrule—do-gooder bureaucrats, failed social programs, and a city that had coddled the undeserving and the criminal.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His first job, at age 11, was washing milk trucks on Sundays for his father at $3 a pop.—
Phil Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The new regulations also require things like hand-washing stations, proper refrigeration and prohibit using generators or propane tanks.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to the North Miami Police Department, 27-year-old Macksouel Desir was standing outside the residence on NW 7th Avenue early Christmas morning and was spitting on the floor when the victim approached him and told him to stop.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
29 Dec. 2025
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Chalamet and EsDeeKid linked up for a visual, which finds the duo heading from the kitchen to under the stars of a Rolls-Royce Wraith’s backseat, spitting rhymes.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Flyers never made Sorokin work with tough shots on goal and were just flat in front of a sparse crowd largely affected by a massive winter storm.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Its acoustic arrangements are sparse and her lyrics fragmentary, but the mood is warm and inviting.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Full Serpent is intended to offer more of Green’s adventures in a future landscape where the past is always poking through the dust, bubbling over with color and life.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Broil until cheese is melted, browned, and bubbling, 3–6 minutes, depending on your oven (watch carefully).—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dribbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dribbling. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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