as in crying
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as in blubbering
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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Recent Examples of sobbing
Tevon Blair, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
Then, in the first quarter, Haliburton fell to the court just beyond the three, banging his fist and sobbing.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
This show is equal parts feel-good and pass-me-the-tissues-because-I’m-sobbing.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The actor Marisa Abela plays her in a binary state of panic and swagger by sobbing like a dejected child or slyly grinning like one who’s about to wolf down an ice-cream cake.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The paramedics arrived on scene, reassuring the huddled, sobbing mess of Mom and us children that all would be okay.
—Des Moines Register, 2 Mar. 2026
The decision, which appeared to be correct, brought fourth-year Lake Mary coach Sirdarius Roundtree to his knees, sobbing on the gym floor while his players celebrated with fans and family.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
An emotional interview played in court In the recorded interview, an emotional Gray can be heard sobbing as Smith explains what happened during the shooting, including who was killed and injured.
—Skyler Henry, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
The pain was clearly visible on his face when handing medals to sobbing mothers, wives and young children of those who have been killed in the relentless, bloody war.
—Clarissa Ward, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Pata’s mother left the courtroom sobbing while someone was testifying.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
But producers kept the cameras rolling throughout Shandi’s distress, capturing her sobbing frame and even filming a tearful phone call with her boyfriend back home.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Homeland Security posted the original image of Armstrong’s arrest with another image being posted shortly after from the White House showing her sobbing.
—Tevon Blair, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
Then, in the first quarter, Haliburton fell to the court just beyond the three, banging his fist and sobbing.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
This show is equal parts feel-good and pass-me-the-tissues-because-I’m-sobbing.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
In one call, a man is heard sobbing after being assaulted by another detainee.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The actor Marisa Abela plays her in a binary state of panic and swagger by sobbing like a dejected child or slyly grinning like one who’s about to wolf down an ice-cream cake.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The paramedics arrived on scene, reassuring the huddled, sobbing mess of Mom and us children that all would be okay.
—Des Moines Register, 2 Mar. 2026
The decision, which appeared to be correct, brought fourth-year Lake Mary coach Sirdarius Roundtree to his knees, sobbing on the gym floor while his players celebrated with fans and family.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
An emotional interview played in court In the recorded interview, an emotional Gray can be heard sobbing as Smith explains what happened during the shooting, including who was killed and injured.
—Skyler Henry, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
The pain was clearly visible on his face when handing medals to sobbing mothers, wives and young children of those who have been killed in the relentless, bloody war.
—Clarissa Ward, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Pata’s mother left the courtroom sobbing while someone was testifying.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
But producers kept the cameras rolling throughout Shandi’s distress, capturing her sobbing frame and even filming a tearful phone call with her boyfriend back home.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sobbing
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Noun
-
Marcos’s commanders, confronted with throngs of nuns, priests and ordinary civilians pleading, weeping and kneeling in prayer, refused orders to open fire and clear the streets, and Marcos subsequently fled to exile in Hawaii.—
Keith B. Richburg,
Washington Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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Plants grow just one to two feet tall, with a weeping habit perfect for spilling out of containers and over rock walls, or planting as a dynamic groundcover.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tail wagging, happy whining, and excited greetings when your husband comes home tell me Eddie likes him.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
No politics, no posturing, no whining, just winning.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sobbing. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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