SOB Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

sob 1 of 2

verb

ˈsäb

Definition of sob

as in to cry

to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress the child sobbed when she found the dead frog

Synonyms & Similar Words

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sob

2 of 2

noun

as in tears

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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 sob

Verb

At one point, the narrator, embarrassed by his own act of cruelty, gives a sobbing woman all his money and then leaves her alone in a hotel room. — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026 Carter, who returned to her dad's house from seeing a friend shortly after he was killed, can be seen in body cam footage sobbing as she is told by police that somebody in the house was dead. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Noun

Ramzan imagined her sobs echoing inside the ladies’ room of Goldman Sachs, there on the thirty-second floor of a glass-and-steel tower. — Literary Hub, 4 May 2026 After the verdict was read, sobs and cries of distress could be heard coming from Carmack-Belton's family seated in the gallery. — CBS News, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sob

Verb

Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Mexico lost that game on penalties but Aguirre was not crying because of his red card or the result.

— Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of cry

Verb

Iran's own political leaders — the president, parliament speaker, foreign minister and others — filed in to weep and pray on Friday morning.

— Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Parents wept over the loss of their children, while mothers and other female relatives cried and beat their chests in grief.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of weep

Noun

When his attempt to force a second playoff hole rolled just left, the hundreds who gathered around the green were stunned, letting out a collective groan of disbelief.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Out comes a guttural groan, her exertion a tight whip cracking open a black hole of pain.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Definition of groan

Browse Nearby Words

soars

sob

sobbed

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“Sob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sob. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sob

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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