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
There are no scenes of her sobbing or breaking apart in rage.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 2025
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Robert Wanner, the slain mother’s husband, arrived at the Granite Bay home with Carlie and found Ashley sobbing, strapped into a high chair with an unfinished supply of dry Cheerios in front of her.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Shortly after, his mother, whose face was blurred out and whose name was not disclosed in live coverage of the trial aired by NBCDFW, began sobbing.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Back in the kitchen, the Plums and Greens all huddle around a sobbing Miriam to offer their support.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
This emotional gutpunch leads to poor Orson slumping over and sobbing in the small room beneath his mother's office.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Rory McIlroy is the Masters champion again, this time without falling to his knees on the 18th green and sobbing over finally achieving his lifelong dream.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
As each mourner spoke, some holding back tears and others sobbing, Metayer’s family watched in loving silence.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Kendra, 27, could be heard sobbing in a March 23 phone call obtained by TMZ.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 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
There are no scenes of her sobbing or breaking apart in rage.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
The dispatcher then asked who the woman was sobbing in the background.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Robert Wanner, the slain mother’s husband, arrived at the Granite Bay home with Carlie and found Ashley sobbing, strapped into a high chair with an unfinished supply of dry Cheerios in front of her.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Shortly after, his mother, whose face was blurred out and whose name was not disclosed in live coverage of the trial aired by NBCDFW, began sobbing.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Back in the kitchen, the Plums and Greens all huddle around a sobbing Miriam to offer their support.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
This emotional gutpunch leads to poor Orson slumping over and sobbing in the small room beneath his mother's office.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Rory McIlroy is the Masters champion again, this time without falling to his knees on the 18th green and sobbing over finally achieving his lifelong dream.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
As each mourner spoke, some holding back tears and others sobbing, Metayer’s family watched in loving silence.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Kendra, 27, could be heard sobbing in a March 23 phone call obtained by TMZ.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 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
-
It’s been splendid watching the weeping and gnashing of teeth from American MAGA supporters.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In the hands of the six-piece band, the shivering chords of that miniature apocalyptic soul song build into a cathartic climax, which Wasner punctuates with weeping slide guitar.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 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 2 May. 2026.
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