to sob

Examples

• All

• When I say I came undone, that's when I really let myself open up and sob and cry.

  Academic text (2006)

• Someone had begun to sob uncontrollably inside the shelter.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I started to sob because I was so upset, but my mother said it was going to be alright.

  Academic text (2013)

• But I began to sob, for I knew that my thoughts were no longer my own.

  Fiction book (1996)

• The girl began to shudder, then to sob openly, holding herself.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Karen began to sob as she saw the cordoned area around her home.

  Fiction book (1992)

• At the moment she found it, she started sobbing and wouldn't talk to me.

• Yerubai, covering his face with his hands, began to sob: "Oh, Lord, that our fathers' grave came between us!"

  Fiction book (1996)

• Lucinnius begins to sob, at first quietly, then more loudly and more pathetically.

  Fiction book (1993)

• I turned to greet my father—to sob on his shoulder and tell him the whole ugly story.

  Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

W

to weep

vsto sob

239 1.1

To cry and let tears fall because you feel sad or have strong feelings

is noisier and involves sharp gasping breaths rather than quiet tearing

B

to bawl

vsto sob

35 5.9

Cry or shout loudly and without control

is loud too but specifically includes sudden gasping breaths as a feature

B

to burst into tears

vsto sob

25 2.4

To suddenly cry because of a strong feeling

is noisy and marked by sharp, gasping breaths rather than just sudden start

W

wail

vsto sob

19 3.2

A long loud cry that shows pain or deep sadness

is shorter and marked by sudden, sharp breathing rather than drawn-out sound

B

to blubber

vsto sob

• Informal

19 6.1

To cry loudly and without control, often while talking

is similar but focuses on quick gasping breaths not continuous uncontrolled noise

B

to baw

vsto sob

• UK

1 9.9

To cry loudly because you feel upset or hurt

is similar but specifically involves sudden, sharp inhaling breaths

B

to bawl one's eyes out

vsto sob

• Informal

7.6

Cry very loudly and for a long time

is more about short, sharp breathy sounds than extended loud sorrow

C

to cry one's eyes out

vsto sob

• Informal

4.2

Cry for a long time because you feel very sad

is usually shorter and characterized by sharp inhaling breaths rather than duration

C

to cry like a pissbaby

vsto sob

• Offensive

9.9

To cry in a very childish way when upset

is a genuine noisy reaction with sharp breaths, not a derogatory judgment

Antonyms

L

to laugh

∞ 1.0

To make sounds and move your face or body because something is funny

S

to smile

∞ 1.0

To turn the corners of your mouth up to show happiness or friendliness

Compounds

S

sob story

• Informal

15 4.9

A story often exaggerated that tries to make people feel sorry for personal problems

S

sob sister

• Archaic

1 9.9

A journalist who writes emotional newspaper stories to make readers feel sorry

S

sob stuff

• Archaic

1 8.5

Words or stories meant to make people feel pity by showing personal suffering

How Intense

to wail

72 3.2

to sob

141 1.0

to cry

∞ 1.0

to whimper

88 3.3

to sniffle

22 2.3

Surface Forms

Etymology