as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
the tiny stream gurgled down the rocky slope and joined the larger river at the bottom of the hill
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Recent Examples of gurgling
Adding a fish pond with koi, a gurgling fountain, or even a wind chime can further play into the sense of sound.
—
Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
Roaring Fork Falls, Setrock Creek Falls, and Big Creek Falls are all within easy reach, with short hikes that follow gurgling streams to cool, shaded falls.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
In practice, this means a madhouse of multimedia rooms, packed with gurgling videos and useless machines and humanoid bodies.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
When the first hook comes back around after Earl’s slinky verse, Niontay’s staccato punchlines lose all shape and melt into a putty of wordless, gurgling melody.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Her baby sister gurgling helplessly in the background isn’t the only one utterly dependent on her maternal care.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
From the cozy-chic bar and its expansive patio to the rocking chairs facing a semi-secret, open-air fireplace snuggled next to a gurgling waterfall, serenity permeates the property.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Between gurgling cello and moody brass, the orchestra reached cacophony.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
From the mud baths of Lo Specchio di Venere to Bagno Ascuitto’s hot-steam grotto, Pantelleria’s fringes constitute a natural spa with gurgling thermal waters.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
Roaring Fork Falls, Setrock Creek Falls, and Big Creek Falls are all within easy reach, with short hikes that follow gurgling streams to cool, shaded falls.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
In practice, this means a madhouse of multimedia rooms, packed with gurgling videos and useless machines and humanoid bodies.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
When the first hook comes back around after Earl’s slinky verse, Niontay’s staccato punchlines lose all shape and melt into a putty of wordless, gurgling melody.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Her baby sister gurgling helplessly in the background isn’t the only one utterly dependent on her maternal care.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
From the cozy-chic bar and its expansive patio to the rocking chairs facing a semi-secret, open-air fireplace snuggled next to a gurgling waterfall, serenity permeates the property.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Between gurgling cello and moody brass, the orchestra reached cacophony.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
From the mud baths of Lo Specchio di Venere to Bagno Ascuitto’s hot-steam grotto, Pantelleria’s fringes constitute a natural spa with gurgling thermal waters.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gurgling
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
-
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
Verb
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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
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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
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She was fascinated by the difference in speed between human activity and, say, a stone striking water, rippling outwards.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Still, the massive damage to heavy industry is rippling through the economy.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Measles crept into Utah and Arizona in June, with reports trickling into local health departments of patients coming to doctors and saying their children had just recovered from full-body rashes, and parents telling pediatricians that their whole family had just recovered from measles.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Days begin at Le Plage, the freshwater pool fringed with parasols and a softly trickling waterfall, where breakfasts of eggs, local bread, warm pastries, and fresh juice appear on the long communal table.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gurgling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gurgling. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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