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ramble

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verb

1
as in to rattle
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point the teenagers sat around the pizza parlor, rambling on about dating, homework, movies, and the local football team

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to stroll
to travel by foot for exercise or pleasure we're planning to ramble all over the highland moors when we're in Dartmoor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ramble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ramble are meander, roam, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When could meander be used to replace ramble?

In some situations, the words meander and ramble are roughly equivalent. However, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When might roam be a better fit than ramble?

While the synonyms roam and ramble are close in meaning, roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When is it sensible to use rove instead of ramble?

Although the words rove and ramble have much in common, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is traipse a more appropriate choice than ramble?

The words traipse and ramble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

Where would wander be a reasonable alternative to ramble?

The synonyms wander and ramble are sometimes interchangeable, but wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Examples 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 ramble
Noun
Stephen’s subsequent apology ends in a weird ramble about homewrecking women wanting to suck the dicks of guys who go on reality TV. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 As in his rallies, Trump rambles, his writing hard to follow. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2024
Verb
Surrounded by 2,000 acres of preserved land, the Mountain Course at Spruce Peak rambles along the flank of the mountain it is named for, with views of the adjacent Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak, to boot. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 24 Nov. 2024 Most people ramble about their job title or fumble through small talk. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ramble 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramble
Noun
  • The two were on a trip in Costa Rica with their respective spouses back in 2009 and happened to be on the same sightseeing excursion bus.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Fun programming for families includes dessert-making sessions with the ship’s pastry chef, family shore excursions, local language classes, and VIP ship tours.
    Kerry Spencer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • While Fed officials formally insist markets don't sway their decisions, economists say the central bank doesn't like to rattle them.
    Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • That effect was on display on Viejas Mountain, where winds whipped the peak’s western flank Tuesday morning, rattling bushes near the 4,187-foot summit.
    Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Fickell could be forgiven for allowing his mind to wander.
    Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Imagine sweating it out in a sauna after a day of adventure, then stepping into the dome to stretch, breathe, or simply let your mind wander.
    Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Visit historic mansions, dine at farm-to-table restaurants, sip coffee while strolling the North-South County Trailway—there’s nature, cuisine, art, shopping, and much more, all on offer in these distinctly East Coast locales.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Better still, guests at Battel Hall, can simply stroll back to the house, where the lights have come on and a warm welcome awaits.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Robinson’s jaunt down the sideline all but confirmed an upset win for Navy (9-3) over their archrival, going on to win the game 31-13 and taking home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy having defeated West Point and the Air Force Academy this season.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
  • But like with any archaeological jaunt for our hero, there’s plenty of pitfalls along the way.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The hotel is located about a 20-minute walk from the McDonald's where he was arrested.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
  • According to the suit, Teresa Gonzales was out on a walk when witnesses, who were not named in the suit, reported seeing a woman falling through a repair hole into a sewage line.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Understanding black bears Black bears roam across much of North America.
    Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • This shadowy faction has been roaming the galaxy and mass-converting citizens, but their intent is unknown — something for players to discover over the coming weeks and months.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • On Thursday night, a procession of Hollywood's most elite members sauntered up the brick driveway—covered in a beige color carpet—of the Chateau Marmont and were transported to the luxurious world of iconic designer Brunello Cucinelli.
    Paul Chi, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
  • In this rematch, Metcalf will return from a knee injury that cost him two games, and the 49ers’ cornerbacks will be led by Lenoir, who saunters in fresh off Wednesday’s contract extension (five years, $92 million).
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near ramble

Cite this Entry

“Ramble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramble. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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