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

Relevance

sob

2 of 2

noun

as in tears

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Also last week, court was paused several times as Clancy sobbed while witnesses from the medical examiner's office were on the stand. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 After the conversation, Gajdusek drove down the highway, sobbing. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

One juror burst into loud sobs after a detective displayed three plastic pots that had held Jimmy‘s remains. — Amy Driscoll, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026 Yet there’s surprisingly little scientific research on the matter, leaving the question of whether there are actually emotional benefits to a nice sob session. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sob

Verb

Unintentional noise could be heard, even a baby crying, Dolly said.

— Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, Clancy is visibly emotional, crying and wiping her eyes.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cry

Verb

Dil Maya Lama stood weeping outside the help desk at the hospital, searching for information about her missing 26-year-old brother, a driver for a hydropower company in Rasuwa.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Dil Maya Lama stood weeping outside the help desk at the hospital, searching for information about her 26-year-old brother, a driver for a hydropower company in Rasuwa.

— Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of weep

Noun

An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Not long afterward, witnesses heard groans and heavy breathing as the spiritual adviser put her hands on his shoulders and prayed over him.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of groan

Browse Nearby Words

soars

sob

sobbed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sob. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sob

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes