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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As predicted, most attempts ended in failure, with one participant even making the baby cry.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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Izzie wasn't the only one crying along with the fans.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, constituents have yelled at Democratic members at town halls, pleading with them to be more forceful in speaking out against Trump.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
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During one of their exchanges, approximately two hours into walking, Haas abruptly got up from her desk and yelled in the student’s face, using swear words, the affidavit said.—
Kate Linderman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Expect to hear the unmistakable wail of a vintage F1 car echoing across the speedway, the guttural roar of classic V8s ripping through gears, and the shriek of modern hypercars proving their worth on the track.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
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Further footage obtained by Fox News Digital shows a sobbing LaPlaca in a holding cell consenting to a breathalyzer test, but demanding at the same time that an officer call the township's Chief of Police Anthony Nippins.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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One young man sobbed when a guard pushed him to the floor.—
Philip Holsinger,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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By the time the chorus rolled around, the commuters were in full voice, shouting along (and filming the whole thing for posterity), as Fallon banged on a tambourine.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 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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In one photograph, Basora-Gonzalez is shown handcuffed and weeping in a public parking lot.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
28 Mar. 2025
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The surrounding idyllic landscape is graced with mature magnolias, weeping beech, dogwood and other plantings.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These tantrums may involve kicking, screaming, and stomping.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
30 Mar. 2025
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Yet no other sweet treat screams Easter like PEEPS® candy does.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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