SOB Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

sob 1 of 2

verb

ˈsäb

Definition of sob

as in to cry

to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress the child sobbed when she found the dead frog

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sob

2 of 2

noun

as in tears

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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 sob

Verb

One mother sobbed and collapsed in grief as the bodies of her 3- and 10-year-old children were wrapped in blankets and carried away. — CBS News, 26 June 2026 Kayda immediately falls apart and begins to sob on the daybed. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Noun

One juror burst into loud sobs after a detective displayed three plastic pots that had held Jimmy‘s remains. — Amy Driscoll, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026 Yet there’s surprisingly little scientific research on the matter, leaving the question of whether there are actually emotional benefits to a nice sob session. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sob

Verb

Argentina’s on to the final against Spain, the English are crying into a big ol’ bowl of mashed peas, and our big shiny stadium can once again promote a luxury German automaker.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 July 2026
The environment of a busy pool may trigger sensory overload and distress, causing children to cry or want to leave.

— Tana Carson, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of cry

Noun

While relatives looked on in bemusement, my brother and I burst into tears, inconsolable.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
On Wednesday, Argentina player Lisandro Martínez was asked if the banner could have stirred deep emotions and tears for a veteran of the Malvinas conflict.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of tears

Verb

Iran's own political leaders — the president, parliament speaker, foreign minister and others — filed in to weep and pray on Friday morning.

— Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Parents wept over the loss of their children, while mothers and other female relatives cried and beat their chests in grief.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of weep

Noun

The groan-shout of sweaty irritation that rose from our bench was life-sucking, and also far too familiar.

— Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 July 2026
When his attempt to force a second playoff hole rolled just left, the hundreds who gathered around the green were stunned, letting out a collective groan of disbelief.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026

Definition of groan

Browse Nearby Words

soars

sob

sobbed

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Style

“Sob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sob. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sob

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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