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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rambling
Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Turan lives in a co-op called Base Camp, a rambling four-story Victorian that houses 14 other tech workers who spend their days at OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google’s DeepMind.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
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
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
The book displays a gift for confident, if rambling, storytelling, and the details pile up convincingly.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Turan lives in a co-op called Base Camp, a rambling four-story Victorian that houses 14 other tech workers who spend their days at OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google’s DeepMind.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
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
-
Set against mountainous landscapes and rural lakes, the story follows a wandering swordsman who is falsely accused of stealing a shipment of gold and must unravel a web of intrigue involving bandits, palace guards and corrupt officials while attempting to clear his name.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Your 11th House of Hopefulness lights up as enterprising Mars harmonizes with jovial Jupiter in your talkative 3rd house.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Vargas, equal parts talkative and professionally restrained, started by examining my every pore under a light.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
15 Mar. 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
-
All the while, Israel struck the world’s largest natural gas field and Iran targeted energy facilities in Qatar, rattling global markets and threatening even higher oil and gas prices.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI has also been working to outline clearer spending targets after rattling markets with ambitious infrastructure commitments in late 2025.—
Ashley Capoot,Kate Rooney,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the company's robotaxis look entirely different from the Toyota Highlander SUVs that are currently roaming parts of downtown and East Austin.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Yuba City Police Department on Friday released video of two of its officers shooting a shovel-wielding man who was nude and roaming through a residential neighborhood last month.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Otherwise, consider the more posh neighborhoods of Chelsea and Kensington—ideal for leisurely days spent browsing boutiques and art galleries or strolling over to Notting Hill for coffee and craft bakeries.—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Whether you’re headed to a garden wedding or simply strolling the neighborhood on a sunny Sunday, a floral dress is the easiest way to lean into the romance of the season.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the best looks of the night featured a dramatic silhouette, from Misty Copeland's exaggerated shoulders to the voluminous mermaid skirt on Rose Byrne's ballgown.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
15 Mar. 2026
-
For her nomination for The Substance, Demi Moore opted for a custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown with crystal embroidery, an exaggerated hip, and long train.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 2026.
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