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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Carnivores shouldn’t miss out on Peter upstairs—a rambling dining venue perched on the 24th floor, high above the rooms, that looks like a glitzy Vegas club complete with purple accents and ethereal, Avatar-esque light sculptures.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Advertisement In a lengthy and rambling video posted on social media, C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams said he had initially been inclined to back out of the booking amid the backlash but is considering performing anyway out of spite toward those who criticized him for participating.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 29 May 2026
Pochettino, in a rambling answer about his central midfield options, seemed to suggest that Reyna could play in a deeper, more defensive position.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 27 May 2026
The California Military Academy spent a spectacular few of its early years, circa 1906, on the water at Santa Monica, leasing out the rambling Victorian pile that had once been the Arcadia Hotel.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Years ago, he was sent a rambling Thomas Pynchon novel.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Perhaps their usual style is to be rambling.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Despite this rambling semi-introduction, Newman’s film makes quick work of all of this, recognizing that getting to the Tova-and-Cameron show (with, of course, many guest appearances by Marcellus) is the entire point of the picture.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
This rambling 1,200-acre Southern California ranch has both and much more, plus a supremely private and scenic locale on the outskirts of the historic community of San Juan Capistrano.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
Spinella shucks off sentimentality, always showing us Con’s offhand humor and sometimes nervous, defensive rambling.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Carnivores shouldn’t miss out on Peter upstairs—a rambling dining venue perched on the 24th floor, high above the rooms, that looks like a glitzy Vegas club complete with purple accents and ethereal, Avatar-esque light sculptures.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Advertisement In a lengthy and rambling video posted on social media, C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams said he had initially been inclined to back out of the booking amid the backlash but is considering performing anyway out of spite toward those who criticized him for participating.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 29 May 2026
Pochettino, in a rambling answer about his central midfield options, seemed to suggest that Reyna could play in a deeper, more defensive position.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 27 May 2026
The California Military Academy spent a spectacular few of its early years, circa 1906, on the water at Santa Monica, leasing out the rambling Victorian pile that had once been the Arcadia Hotel.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Years ago, he was sent a rambling Thomas Pynchon novel.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Perhaps their usual style is to be rambling.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Despite this rambling semi-introduction, Newman’s film makes quick work of all of this, recognizing that getting to the Tova-and-Cameron show (with, of course, many guest appearances by Marcellus) is the entire point of the picture.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Verb
Throughout the latter two videos, Ivey spoke to the camera while driving his car and rambling through various evangelical talking points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
This rambling 1,200-acre Southern California ranch has both and much more, plus a supremely private and scenic locale on the outskirts of the historic community of San Juan Capistrano.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
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
-
Cocktail Magic includes bars with different themes and wandering magicians.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
-
Released in 2022, this otherworldly timepiece puts a contemporary spin on the wandering hours complication that AP debuted within the original Starwheel (Ref.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Majda said her younger daughter had always been a talkative, playful girl.—
Toqa Ezzidin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
There’s a social, buzzy quality to this transit that thrives on movement and mental stimulation, which is why people may suddenly feel more talkative, distracted or eager to multitask.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Eichenberger recently converted one of the ponds into a small babbling brook to maintain a steady flow of water.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The internet has spoken—the babbling of Minions will be heard at the 2026 Winter Olympics.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With violence erupting without warning from every corner — and the battle sounds on the soundtrack adding to the tension — wounded soldiers with limited supplies must perform delicate surgery despite shaking hands and rattling floors.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
Despite the mothballed plant's handsome brick exterior, inside it's filled with rattling pipes, hazard signs and cockroach carcasses.—
Ishan Thakore,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Oh, and kids will love the peacocks roaming the grounds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Populated by roaming peacocks, shaded by pine forests, and ringed by rocky coves overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the island is an easy day trip that blends the island’s natural beauty with plenty of cinematic Game of Thrones lore.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Cue the family strolling through the superstore and shopping.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
-
The model wore a slinky black dress by Massimo Dutti while strolling around the town.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, while yellow journalism often resulted in articles that were exaggerated or misleading, TMZ usually takes pains to be rigorous and accurate in its reporting.—
Angelica Kalika,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ganni and Hill House Home have given the look a more playful spin, with puff sleeves, frilled details, and exaggerated proportions.—
Irina Grechko,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The film almost completely drops any and all scientific babble from the book in favor of character development, action sequences, and emotional gut punches.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Rambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rambling. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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