as in trickling
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in dripping
to fall or let fall in or as if in drops
water dribbling over the lip of the fountain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
rainwater dribbling along the partially clogged gutter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in drooling
to let saliva or some other substance flow from the mouth
picnickers dribbling in eager anticipation of the hamburgers on the grill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 dribbling
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Nothing, though, like the sound of basketballs dribbling in the middle of the night.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
After the foul was given, Camavinga decided to temporarily stop Bayern’s players from taking the ball, briefly dribbling it away from the opposition before picking it up with his hands.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The Ibrox faithful are hoping that Moore’s similar stocky build and dribbling style can inspire a late run to another title this May.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026
After Blakes lost the ball dribbling toward the basket for what would have been a tying shot, the Commodores had to foul three times just to get Notre Dame to the free-throw line.
—Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Taylor Huff got one back in the 56th minute, dribbling into the box and finishing off the left post.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
After dribbling between his legs, Mark switched up and leaned to his right and let loose with a dagger jumper from 20 feet out.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
Raúl had taught us dribbling tricks and how to hit a header from a corner shot.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In a recent lab demonstration done by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the compact humanoid moved with surprising fluidity—dribbling, passing, and sinking shots after practising thousands of simulated drills.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
Wembanyama’s highlights included dribbling behind his back to avoid Avdija at halfcourt, backing him down to the top of the key, spinning around him and running free to the rim for a two-handed dunk midway through the first quarter.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Nothing, though, like the sound of basketballs dribbling in the middle of the night.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
After the foul was given, Camavinga decided to temporarily stop Bayern’s players from taking the ball, briefly dribbling it away from the opposition before picking it up with his hands.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The Ibrox faithful are hoping that Moore’s similar stocky build and dribbling style can inspire a late run to another title this May.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026
After Blakes lost the ball dribbling toward the basket for what would have been a tying shot, the Commodores had to foul three times just to get Notre Dame to the free-throw line.
—Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Taylor Huff got one back in the 56th minute, dribbling into the box and finishing off the left post.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
After dribbling between his legs, Mark switched up and leaned to his right and let loose with a dagger jumper from 20 feet out.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
Raúl had taught us dribbling tricks and how to hit a header from a corner shot.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dribbling
Verb
-
Queso dripping all over the meat and other toppings is so much more fun.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Always place the package on a plate or inside a container—raw meat dripping onto produce or leftovers is one of the most common sources of cross-contamination in the home kitchen.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The birds’ splashing tends to discourage mosquito larvae development.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That viral video of the bear splashing in his ice bath exists because dedicated researchers and zookeepers are working to make sure polar bears have a future — in the Arctic and beyond.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Predators respond with head shaking, gaping, drooling, and frantic licking.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2026
-
But Cremily won over teams and venues with a story worth drooling over.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Marist, which has scant returning experience from last year’s national powerhouse, jumped out to leads of 5-0 and 16-5 in the ninth game of the day against Glenbard West.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
By Sunday afternoon, only a scant few remained in the stadium’s team shop.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The next day, Nataliia was washing the landing outside of her apartment with vinegar, as advised by officials, when an evacuation order was issued.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This includes drinking water, water used for brushing teeth, washing for washing dishes and water for food preparation, officials said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pink Jet is an all-female flight crew on a mission as their bright pink Albatros fighter jet soars through the sky, spitting out pink smoke with pilots dressed in pink flight suits.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Moving to the couple's bedroom, the HGTV star can be seen dropping clothes on the floor right in front of the hamper, before brushing her teeth in the bathroom and spitting out water all over the mirror.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s not just problematic for poorer communities but also for affluent suburbs like Cheshire that get sparse state funding.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
All 12 songs incorporate bells or bell-like instruments into their sparse mixes.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Doctors noted a crackling sound, suggesting gases bubbling out of his dying flesh, and some of the outer layers of skin were peeling off.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Recorded on five reel-to-reel decks, the composer’s 1975 piece blends everyday and exotic sounds—human breath, cheeping frogs, bubbling geysers—into a passionate defense of the raptures of listening.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dribbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dribbling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
