1
as in to cry
to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress
he bawled for days after his dog died
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to yell
to speak so as to be heard at a distance
the mover was bawling for help as the refrigerator was about to slip out of his hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bawl
Washington Post, 21 July 2021
Distillers bury their faces in their hands and bawl after learning MLB’s winter meetings will go virtual.
—Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2020
Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Instead, similar to other animals, newborn babies produce a heartbreaking (and ear-piercing) bawl.
—Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Verb
That night, Faris saw a woman near her bawl and wide-eyed grown-ups run.
—Washington Post, 21 July 2021
Distillers bury their faces in their hands and bawl after learning MLB’s winter meetings will go virtual.
—Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2020
Noun
My mother and sister were bawling their eyes out, burrowed against me.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Instead, similar to other animals, newborn babies produce a heartbreaking (and ear-piercing) bawl.
—Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawl
Verb
-
Citing a police report, Fox 35 and the News-Journal reported that Sullivan was waiting outside for Williams to show up to the home with her food delivery when her baby began to cry inside the home.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Cohost Mark Consuelos teed up the moment during Tuesday morning's host chat, which shifted to cover the topic of why exhaustive marathons often make people — both participants and spectators — cry.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
On July 5, 2025, Aaron came into my townhouse with his father and got within inches of my face and began yelling at me … with his right hand violently hit the bill of my hat with the back of his hand, which caused my hat to fly off my head.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
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The inadvertent launch of the saucer was caught on videotape, as was the panic after Falcon’s older brother, Bradford, yelled that the 6-year-old could not be located.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
When a truck carrying Mr. Nasrallah’s coffin entered the stadium, the crowd erupted in shrieks and cries as the voice of the former Hezbollah leader — clipped from his speeches — echoed from speakers.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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Late in the show, a lone woman’s passionate shriek activates something in McCartney.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The firm had lost more than two-thirds of its staff; Lutnick sobbed during TV interviews while desperately trying to keep the business from going under.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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The scene inside — Jota’s parents sobbing, Cardoso stricken by grief — was one of almost unbearable sadness.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Most of those shouting questions at Tatis for 45 minutes were doing so in Spanish.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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The 53-year-old ageless wonder was bouncing around the football field barking encouragement, shouting out orders and running circles around participants — many nearly 40 years his younger — at the Orlando Quarterback Shootout and Battle in the Pit.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 July 2025
Noun
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That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 July 2025
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The night was punctuated with the chilling whine of approaching drones that slammed into residential areas, exploded and sent balls of orange flames into the dark during the 10-hour barrage.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Leander, the little engine that could, roared into the 8th position, boasting a median household income that could make a downtown condo owner weep ($131,822, for those keeping score at home).—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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Clean enough to make Gwyneth Paltrow weep and somehow still actually effective, the SOS (Save Our Skin) Sunscreen, from Tower 28, applies smoothly.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Footage from onboard captures passengers, including children, screaming in fear as the cabin shakes and lightning flashes surround them.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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Golden Goose screams effortless cool girl with the unique, layered designs that demand a double take.—
April Benshosan,
Glamour,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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