to bawl

Examples

• All

• I instantly started bawling because that was my diary.

  Academic text (2013)

• I bawled so hard during the final scene of this movie every single time I've seen it.

  Hannah (Sex & Relationships Education)

• We both just started to bawl, just cry.

  Evan Carmichael

• " Those women in there would just as soon bawl me out as look at me."

  Fiction book (1994)

• Your mom, she was out one day, and you were bawling your eyes out.

  Brightburn (2019)

• By the time I got him in the house, he was bawling like a baby, trying to talk.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I remember telling my dad and just bawling my eyes out.

  Academic text (1990)

• I threw my arms around his neck, bawling like a child.

  Fiction book (1994)

• He came to me bawling his little eyes out.

  JFK (1991)

• After winning the championship, he began to bawl with joy in the middle of the field.

Synonyms

S

to scream

vsto bawl

∞ 1.0

To make a loud high cry because of fear or pain

is comparable in loudness but is less focused on high pitch

Y

to yell

vsto bawl

∞ 1.0

To shout loudly because you feel strong pain, anger or excitement

is similar but emphasises uncontrolled loudness sometimes mixed with weeping

C

to cry

vsto bawl

342 1.0

To make a loud call to show feeling or get attention

adds the idea of lack of restraint and extreme volume beyond simple sound

C

to cry out

vsto bawl

108 1.8

Shout loudly to show a strong feeling, for example when surprised or hurt

is generally louder and more unrestrained and can be prolonged

S

to screech

vsto bawl

86 4.0

To make a loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is loud and unrestrained but not necessarily as high-pitched or harsh

S

to shriek

vsto bawl

72 2.9

To make a loud high sound often because of fear, pain or excitement

is similar in loudness but generally lower pitched and more uncontrolled

H

to howl

vsto bawl

48 2.6

To give a long loud cry because of pain, grief, or anger

is similar but may be less sustained and more about loud release

B

to bellow

vsto bawl

39 4.7

Shout loudly in a deep voice because you are angry or hurt

is higher in emotional crying and lacks the deep roar quality

B

to burst into tears

vsto bawl

24 2.4

To suddenly cry because of a strong feeling

is about continuous loudness and lack of restraint rather than sudden start

S

to squawk

vsto bawl

16 4.7

To make a loud, harsh cry like a bird

is broader, covering any very loud, unrestrained outburst not only abrupt cries

S

to sob

vsto bawl

15 1.0

To cry with short, noisy breaths

is louder and more unrestrained overall rather than focused on breath pattern

B

to blubber

vsto bawl

• Informal

14 6.1

To cry loudly and without control, often while talking

leans more toward loud shouting or crying without control rather than muffled speech

H

to hoot

vsto bawl

11 3.6

To shout loudly to show anger or excitement

is less about social signal and more about uncontrolled emotional release

C

to cry one's eyes out

vsto bawl

• Informal

7 4.2

Cry for a long time because you feel very sad

is closer to loud, uncontrolled sound made without restraint rather than only long sorrow

B

to bawl one's eyes out

vsto bawl

• Informal

3 7.6

Cry very loudly and for a long time

is similar but can mean loud shouting as well as prolonged sobbing

Y

to yowl

vsto bawl

2 6.3

To make a loud, long cry that sounds like it hurts

is more about raw loudness without the mournful, animal-like tone

U

to ululate

vsto bawl

1 9.9

To make long loud shaky cries to show strong feeling

is louder and more uncontrolled but not necessarily musical or wavering

B

to blub

vsto bawl

• UK

1 9.2

Cry in a noisy, gasping way

is louder and less muffled, stressing open, uncontrolled sound

B

to boohoo

vsto bawl

• Informal

1 7.4

To cry loudly in a noisy, unhappy way

is more general loud and unrestrained sound without playful tone

B

to baw

vsto bawl

• UK

9.9

To cry loudly because you feel upset or hurt

is the same intense, unrestricted loud expression commonly used in everyday speech

Y

to yaup

vsto bawl

• Archaic

9.9

To make long, loud, harsh cries repeatedly

is similar in harshness but more about uninhibited volume than repetition

Y

to yawp

vsto bawl

9.9

Make a loud, rough sound like a shout to show anger or complaint

is more emotionally raw and uncontrolled rather than a rough complaint

C

to cry like a pissbaby

vsto bawl

• Offensive

9.9

To cry in a very childish way when upset

is loud and unrestrained but neutral in tone without insult

Antonyms

W

to whisper

586 1.0

To speak very quietly using only breath so one person can hear

M

to murmur

11 4.2

To speak in a low, quiet voice, often to complain or say something softly

Idioms

B

to bawl one's eyes out

• Informal

3 7.6

Cry very loudly and for a long time

Phrasal Verbs

B

to bawl out

• Informal

6.7

Shout loudly at someone because they did something wrong

How Loud

to scream

∞ 1.0

to wail

84 3.2

to bawl

39 5.9

to sob

15 1.0

to cry

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology