Bawl — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈbȯl/

Meaning & Definition of Bawl

Bawl (verb)

  1. to cry out loudly and unrestrainedly
  2. to cry loudly, wail
  3. to cry out at the top of one's voice

Bawl (noun)

  1. a loud prolonged cry, outcry

Bawl (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress

    "he bawled for days after his dog died"

    similar: blub (chiefly British), blubber, cry, sob, weep
    related: greet (Scottish), grieve, keen, lament, mourn, howl, scream, squall, wail, yowl, bleat, mewl, pule, whimper, whine, sniffle, snivel, groan, moan, sigh

  2. to speak so as to be heard at a distance

    "the mover was bawling for help as the refrigerator was about to slip out of his hands"

    similar: bay, bellow, call, cry, holler, hollo, roar, shout, sound off, thunder, vociferate, yell
    related: crow, whoop, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squeak, squeal, caterwaul, howl, ululate, wail, yawp, yowl, hail, speak out, speak up
    near: breathe, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper

Bawl (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in cry, howl

    similar: cry, howl, shriek, squall, whimper, whine, yelp, yowl, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint, blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering, groan, moan, wail
    opposite: cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter

Related Entry: Bawl out (verb)

Bawl out is a different word from Bawl. The synonyms below are for bawl out, not for bawl.

  1. to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

    "got bawled out by the boss for missing another important deadline"

    similar: baste, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste, lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, score, tongue-lash, upbraid, lay into, read the riot act (to), take to task
    related: admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove, abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (slang), excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate, belittle, disparage, mock, put down, ridicule, scoff, scorn
    near: approve, endorse, sanction, extol, laud, praise

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bawl

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bawl:

Chiefly British: blub
blubber, cry, sob, weep, bay, bellow, call, holler, hollo, roar, shout, sound off, thunder, vociferate, yell, howl, shriek, squall, whimper, whine, yelp, yowl, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint, blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering, groan, moan, wail

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bawl

Words with the opposite meaning of Bawl:

cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter

Related Words for Bawl

greet, grieve, mourn, scream, bleat, mewl, pule, sniffle, snivel, sigh, crow, whoop, screech, shrill, squeak, squeal, caterwaul, ululate, yawp, hail, speak out, speak up

Near Antonyms of Bawl

breathe, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper

Word Forms of Bawl

Inflections: bawled, bawling, bawls

Derived words: bawler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Bawl

Middle English, to bark, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Icelandic baula to low

First known use: 1533i

Words & Phrases Containing Bawl

bawl out, bawl one's eyes out

Frequently Asked Questions about Bawl

What does "Bawl" mean?

"Bawl" means to cry out loudly and unrestrainedly. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to cry out loudly and unrestrainedly. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bawl"?

Other words for "Bawl" include blub, blubber, cry, sob, weep, bay, bellow and call. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bawl" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bawl"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bawl". Common alternatives include blub, blubber, cry, sob, weep, bay, bellow, call, holler and hollo.

What is the opposite of "Bawl"?

Antonyms of "Bawl" include cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker and snigger. Near antonyms include breathe, mumble, murmur and mutter.

How do you use "Bawl" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bawl" in a sentence: "he bawled for days after his dog died"; "the mover was bawling for help as the refrigerator was about to slip out of his hands".

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

"Bawl" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Bawl"?

"Bawl" is pronounced /ˈbȯl/.

What is the origin of the word "Bawl"?

"Bawl" comes from Middle English, to bark, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Icelandic baula to low. First known use: 1533i.