ramble 1 of 2

ramble

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verb

1
as in to rattle
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point the teenagers sat around the pizza parlor, rambling on about dating, homework, movies, and the local football team

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to stroll
to travel by foot for exercise or pleasure we're planning to ramble all over the highland moors when we're in Dartmoor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ramble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ramble are meander, roam, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When could meander be used to replace ramble?

In some situations, the words meander and ramble are roughly equivalent. However, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When might roam be a better fit than ramble?

While the synonyms roam and ramble are close in meaning, roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When is it sensible to use rove instead of ramble?

Although the words rove and ramble have much in common, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is traipse a more appropriate choice than ramble?

The words traipse and ramble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

Where would wander be a reasonable alternative to ramble?

The synonyms wander and ramble are sometimes interchangeable, but wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

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 ramble
Noun
Newsom’s red-state rambles may end up having no effect whatsoever on his political future. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024 There are daily rambles along classic trails each day, against a backdrop of pinnacles, and glaciers. Everett Potter, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
Prompting for mental health discourse by the user tends to be longer, denser, rambling at times, etc., which is quite a contrast to generic general-purpose AI. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Tansy produces rambling, ferny foliage and golden yellow button-like blooms. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ramble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramble
Noun
  • The new credit card will include chances to earn toward member-exclusive experiences – such as trackside access at racing events and off-the-grid EV excursions.
    Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The musical is framed as a vaudeville variety show with an experimental edge, a meta excursion in which other pop culture figures of King’s time (most of them largely forgotten) step forward to guide you through the story and the yarn grows more ripping by the scene.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The brutal stabbings rattled Moscow, a city of 25,000 people that hadn’t recorded a murder since 2015.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
  • But the winds of change in Colorado caused this particular branch in Blue to rattle and sway.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • George, a backyard community cat who took up residence at the Loma Verde complex in Lakeland, Florida, grew impatient after getting neutered at the local SPCA and wandered nearly three miles back home, according to a press release shared with PEOPLE on Monday, May 19.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 May 2025
  • Researchers aimed to estimate the number of deaths each year caused by two factors: inadequate fencing to prevent young children from wandering into swimming pools and Americans not wearing a life jacket while boating.
    Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • So, waders are people who just stroll through and say, ‘Oh, this is nice.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • In what has become a familiar sight on the Croisette, Belgian directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne strolled up the red carpet to present their new film to a welcoming crowd.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Taller people might prefer nothing more than a cross-town jaunt.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Haim will tour North America and the United Kingdom later this year, starting with a jaunt across the United States and Canada in September and October.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Bri Ellis drew a walk in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but Binford struck out Day and Wyckoff to secure the victory.
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
  • In his past two games, at Boston and Friday against the Padres, Sale allowed nine hits and two runs and had 14 strikeouts with three walks in 14 innings.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Those two have scheduled meet and greets, but other characters like The Invisible Man and Ygor roam throughout Dark Universe.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • The refrigerator was not cold enough and two cats roamed the shop, violating state food code.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Fortunately, they are met by curious neighbors who saunter into Robyn and Dante’s love nest.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 May 2025
  • The ladies showed some skin wearing short white dresses while sauntering through New York City streets together.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ramble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramble. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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