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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shriek
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bawl
Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024
Yet when the whistle sounded on the U.S. women’s soccer team’s 1-0 win over Brazil in last Saturday’s gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics, Swanson rushed to Naeher, wrapped both arms around her neck and began to bawl.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Verb
Frieda, now entirely incapable of playing nice, taking big, blatant swipes at her daughters, Shelly grimly staring at the board, and finally, Nancy bawling, and stomping out of the room.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024
Yet when the whistle sounded on the U.S. women’s soccer team’s 1-0 win over Brazil in last Saturday’s gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics, Swanson rushed to Naeher, wrapped both arms around her neck and began to bawl.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for bawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawl
Verb
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Although anyone can injure a baby in a moment of frustration, most prevention research has focused specifically on helping parents understand why infants cry or become fussy.—
Lori Frasier,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
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Catch up on last week: Carrie Underwood cries, Backstreet Boy duets with son in 'Idol' premiereNeed a break?—
KiMi Robinson,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Outside the Latvian Cultural Center, Fisk yells at Sheila - who hasn't revealed Daniel's part in the leak - about the news, demanding an all-hands meeting to find out who leaked the story.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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Characters yell confessions and spew insults from across rooms and tables.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While studying a rare species whose mating call appears to be the frightening shrieks the team has been hearing in the woods, the pair hired Kodiak (McHale) as their guide.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2025
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Common to woodlands, scrublands, savanna and villages across most of East Africa, they can be found in small flocks, usually making a variety of noisy scolds and shrieks at anyone within earshot.—
Matt Kracht,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Ferreira sobs hysterically, spouts horrific recounts of an abusive childhood, and slowly opens up, all in the span of a two-hour film.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
21 Mar. 2025
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The virtual meeting, between Fish & Wildlife human resources officials and probationary employees across the country, lasted almost 20 minutes and was recorded by a number of people on the line, including one worker who can be heard sobbing in the background.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Players swig from beer cans and shout old-timey sayings at one another.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2025
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The proud dad even shared John’s grades, showing screenshots of his 100% test scores in business law while shouting out Hill for their son’s scholastic success.—
Avalon Hester,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The motor produces a whine that is noticeable but not distracting.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Israel Hernandez heard the faint whine of sirens outside his Wilmington apartment and looked up just in time to see a minivan crash into another vehicle as police gave chase.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Once, at a wedding Rose officiated, Kale wept and waved his arms up and down — though the bride and groom had never met him before — while the crowd of Oregon locals looked at one another in confusion.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
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But in a confessional, Stacey weeps while sympathizing with her heartbroken friend.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And of course, 102 acres on the Pacific Ocean just screams location, location, ad infinitum.—
David Weiss,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Every frequent flier has been there: the seat that doesn’t tilt back, the screaming kids, the sprint between terminals for the connecting flight, and relief at baggage claim that your luggage actually made it.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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