1
as in wandering
passing from one topic to another
I listened patiently to Mrs. Parsifal's rambling reminiscences, though I had no idea who "Dorothy" and "the stepson" were
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talkative
using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea
the new minister gives rambling sermons that, if they have a point, are lost on the congregation, which invariably falls asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in prolixity
Related Words
1
as in rattling
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
as in roaming
to move about from place to place aimlessly
by tirelessly rambling around San Francisco for a week we probably saw more of it than many residents ever have
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in strolling
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rambling
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The writing can be rambling, unedited, and niche, or sharp, pristine, and relatable.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2011, the actress had to be escorted offstage after slurring her words and rambling during a speech at an event honoring former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
As of now, game day parking reservations are available throughout the day at Muir Woods, offering an opportunity for quiet rambling among ancient redwoods.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Her editor figured that Bainbridge could get away with a rambling, nostalgic performance.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
That’s when Amendola’s face, combined with some unhinged rambling, got the message across that something big just happened.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
What on Earth was Gabriel rambling on about before, anyway?
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Roger Naylor shares 10 favorite Arizona destinations from his 50 years of rambling here.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As Minneapolis reels from the shooting, officials are combing through Westman’s rambling writings – which the shooter shared in YouTube videos timed to go online around the same time as the attack – to search for a motive.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump has long bragged about his cognitive ability, repeatedly offering to take a cognitive exam alongside Biden during the 2024 campaign, and has claimed his rambling is a purposeful speaking style.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Her rambling answer includes several deep breaths and a pause that has Mike’s mom shaking her head.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The writing can be rambling, unedited, and niche, or sharp, pristine, and relatable.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2011, the actress had to be escorted offstage after slurring her words and rambling during a speech at an event honoring former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
As of now, game day parking reservations are available throughout the day at Muir Woods, offering an opportunity for quiet rambling among ancient redwoods.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Her editor figured that Bainbridge could get away with a rambling, nostalgic performance.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
In addition to the lake, there are 26 miles of trails for rambling at Hot Springs National Park as well as a number of hiking paths leading into and out of downtown.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
That’s when Amendola’s face, combined with some unhinged rambling, got the message across that something big just happened.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
What on Earth was Gabriel rambling on about before, anyway?
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Roger Naylor shares 10 favorite Arizona destinations from his 50 years of rambling here.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As Minneapolis reels from the shooting, officials are combing through Westman’s rambling writings – which the shooter shared in YouTube videos timed to go online around the same time as the attack – to search for a motive.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump has long bragged about his cognitive ability, repeatedly offering to take a cognitive exam alongside Biden during the 2024 campaign, and has claimed his rambling is a purposeful speaking style.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rambling
Adjective
-
Even a wandering horse, after all, still moves the caravan forward.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Stargazers looking to upgrade their gear should read our picks of the best telescopes and binoculars for exploring the night sky, while photographers should read our guide to imaging wandering comets, along with our roundups of the top cameras and lenses for astrophotography.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The moody Moon and wary Chiron trine across your talkative 3rd house and your convivial 11th house, guiding your explanations of complex issues.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
-
In court, Tillman was upbeat and talkative with his federal public defender, Varell Fuller, prior to making his guilty plea.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many letters slam our new Muslim mayor and now a sprinkle of right-wing, pseudo-Christian babbling?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Holmes’ feed is a babbling stream of self-help epigrams, ankle-deep reflections and many, many photos of herself.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In the 78th minute, Manukian completed his brace by rattling a shot into the bottom right corner from 10 yards out.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Anthropic launched Claude Cowork in a research capacity last month, rattling software stocks as investors grappled with AI's disruptive potential.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is home to roaming peacocks, a camel named Strawberry and many other abandoned, injured and elderly animals, but the haven in Forked River has been unable to reopen because of the latest major snowstorm.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Their farm, just off a main highway, is filled with chickens and turkeys roaming freely under the watch of Nova, a white Great Pyrenees, and several other dogs.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just picture strolling down the street to Lakewood Elementary School to pick up your kids and their friends for a playdate at your transitional, 4,454-square-foot residence.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The pair were often seen strolling New York City together, riding bikes in Central Park and dancing in their underwear.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our setting is 1936 Chicago, but this is an exaggerated, fictional world, not ours or even Karloff’s.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These findings add to a Claims Conference survey in January, which said that 9% of Irish adults believed the Holocaust was a myth, while another 17% believed the number of Jews killed had been greatly exaggerated.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Read a book and sip tea in front of the central fireplace, swim between the indoor and outdoor sections of the glimmering pool, and soak your aching quads in the hot tubs under the evergreens and aspens while listening to the peaceful babble of Gore Creek.—
Sarah Kuta,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Now the babble about them is back.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rambling. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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