bawl 1 of 2

verb

ˈbȯl How to pronounce bawl (audio)
Definition of bawlnext
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

bawl

2 of 2

noun

as in shriek

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Dissimilar 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 bawl
Verb
Al-Hashimi ends up bawling in her car about Robby’s lack of empathy and perhaps the hypocrisy of it all. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 Besides playing the original Lehman brothers, the three actors also play the men’s wives, sons, in-laws, politicians, business partners, tech bros and even a bawling baby. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Instead, similar to other animals, newborn babies produce a heartbreaking (and ear-piercing) bawl. — Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 As the weekend’s big game approached, David Singleton could have staged his own super bawl. — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for bawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawl
  1. cry
  2. yell
  3. shriek
  4. sob
  5. shout
  6. whine
  7. weep
  8. scream
Verb
  • Unintentional noise could be heard, even a baby crying, Dolly said.
    — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Clancy is visibly emotional, crying and wiping her eyes.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Defiant, Mladic acted bullishly during his trial and yelled at the judges when sentenced to life in prison.
    — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Don't be one of those loudmouths yelling and screaming and pretending.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of yell
Noun
  • Dawkins, an automobile aficionado himself, loved every second of the obstacle course, and even let out a shriek when the driver floored it over a hill at the end.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
  • Smiley slashes Mari across the belly and Fatima lets out a monstrous shriek.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of shriek
Verb
  • Officers described the videos recorded by that camera, writing that Westman seemed agitated after a visit with family and at times sobbed before driving by the church and school the night before the attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After the 911 audio concluded, a recess was called and she was wheeled from the room sobbing loudly.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sob
Verb
  • Video showed locals draped in Spanish flags, shouting anti-migrant slogans, and singing Spanish songs, torching the camp and throwing migrants’ belongings in the Mediterranean or into bonfires.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Being Chicago’s hometown airline — and shouting about it a lot — affords United Airlines certain privileges.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Dil Maya Lama stood weeping outside the help desk at the hospital, searching for information about her missing 26-year-old brother, a driver for a hydropower company in Rasuwa.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Dil Maya Lama stood weeping outside the help desk at the hospital, searching for information about her 26-year-old brother, a driver for a hydropower company in Rasuwa.
    — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of weep
Verb
  • There's a 50% chance the drivers in this photo are screaming.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Baltimore is an even 69-69 after Cowser’s heroics, and though that record doesn’t usually scream postseason bound at this time of year, the American League hasn’t been as strong as years past.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream

Phrases Containing bawl

Browse Nearby Words

bawdy houses
bawl
bawled
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Cite this Entry

“Bawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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