bawling 1 of 2

adjective

as in crying

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bawling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bawl
1
as in sobbing
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
2
as in shouting
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

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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 bawling
Verb
After the break, Olson wrapped up her testimony as Clancy continued bawling with her head down. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 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 Specifically, during a phone call Sullivan had with Eric after the ordeal, which marked a low point for the series as Eric launched into a verbal tirade while cameras captured Sullivan crumpled into a bawling heap. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026 Dogs can read your emotions and Julie was bawling like crazy. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026 But the night will be more remembered for the emotional tribute that had Marchand bawling by the end of it. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025 Eusexua offers a soundtrack for bedrooms and basements fit for balling and bawling sessions. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 Many were left bawling after seeing such a genuine interaction caught on camera, while others asked why the dogs sleep in a kennel outside. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawling
  1. crying
  2. sobbing
  3. shouting
  4. wailing
  5. weeping
  6. yelling
  7. screaming
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Verb
  • 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
  • Miranda Hope says in a scene as the trailer cuts to a shot of Paul sobbing and being hugged by Neeley, Mikayla Matthews and Jessi Draper.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sobbing
Verb
  • Or perhaps, in this case, at roughly 190 mph with the throttle buried and someone shouting into a radio.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of shouting
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
Definition of wailing
Verb
  • Many around the world looked in horror last month at images of a Ukrainian grandmother weeping as the body of her grandson was pulled from the rubble of his home following a Russian missile attack.
    — Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of weeping
Verb
  • During the protest, Lander was approached by individuals calling him a Zionist and yelling profanities.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Law enforcement responded to an apartment after receiving calls from neighbors about yelling.
    — Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of yelling
Verb
  • For now, however, the company that produces Flock cameras is holding off on technology that can register screaming and perhaps even speech.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Harry Styles didn’t need to name-drop Taylor Swift to get his Madison Square Garden crowd screaming.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of screaming

Browse Nearby Words

bawlers
bawling
bawling out
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Cite this Entry

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

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