Babel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈbā-bəl/ Ba·bel

Meaning & Definition of Babel

Babel (noun)

  1. a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues
  2. a confusion of sounds or voices
  3. a scene of noise or confusion

Babel (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place of uproar or confusion

    "on opening day the area's newest big-box store was an incredible babel"

    similar: bedlam, circus, madhouse, scrum (British), three-ring circus
    related: bustle, commotion, pandemonium, racket, ruckus, tumult, turmoil, brouhaha, clamor, clatter, din, hubbub, noise, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, havoc, hell, mess, muss, shambles
    near: arcadia, heaven, paradise, utopia, order, orderliness, organization, calm, lull, peace, respite, hush, quiet, silence, stillness

  2. loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound

    "the babel of wheeling and dealing that can be heard at the stock exchange every day"

    similar: blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, bruit (archaic), cacophony, chatter, clamor, clangor, decibel(s), din, discordance, katzenjammer, noise, racket, rattle, roar
    related: discord, dissonance, commotion, furor, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, rumpus, tumult, uproar, clatter, jangle, bang, blast, boom, clap, crack, crash
    opposite: quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness
    near: calm, hush, lull, quietude, serenity, tranquility

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Babel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Babel:

British: scrum
Archaic: bruit
bedlam, circus, madhouse, three-ring circus, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, cacophony, chatter, clamor, clangor, decibel(s), din, discordance, katzenjammer, noise, racket, rattle, roar

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Babel

Words with the opposite meaning of Babel:

quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness

Related Words for Babel

bustle, commotion, pandemonium, ruckus, tumult, turmoil, brouhaha, clatter, hubbub, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, havoc, hell, mess, muss, shambles, discord, dissonance, furor, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, rumpus, uproar, jangle, bang, blast, boom

Near Antonyms of Babel

arcadia, heaven, paradise, utopia, order, orderliness, organization, calm, lull, peace, respite, hush, quietude, serenity, tranquility

Origin & Etymology of Babel

Middle English, from Hebrew Bābhel, from Akkadian bāb-ilu gate of god

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Babel

Tower of Babel

Frequently Asked Questions about Babel

What does "Babel" mean?

"Babel" means a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues. As a noun, it is defined as: a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Babel"?

Other words for "Babel" include bedlam, circus, madhouse, scrum, three-ring circus, blare, bluster and bowwow. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Babel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Babel"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Babel". Common alternatives include bedlam, circus, madhouse, scrum, three-ring circus, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl and bruit.

What is the opposite of "Babel"?

Antonyms of "Babel" include quiet, silence, silentness, still and stillness. Near antonyms include arcadia, heaven, paradise and utopia.

How do you use "Babel" in a sentence?

Examples of "Babel" in a sentence: "on opening day the area's newest big-box store was an incredible babel"; "the babel of wheeling and dealing that can be heard at the stock exchange every day".

Is "Babel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Babel" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Babel"?

"Babel" is pronounced /ˈbā-bəl/ and divided into syllables as Ba·bel.

What is the origin of the word "Babel"?

"Babel" comes from Middle English, from Hebrew Bābhel, from Akkadian bāb-ilu gate of god. First known use: 14th century.