Sob — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈsäb/ (verb) /ˌes-ˌō-ˈbē/ (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Sob

Sob (verb)

  1. to catch the breath audibly in a spasmodic contraction of the throat
  2. to cry or weep with convulsive catching of the breath
  3. to make a sound like that of a sob or sobbing

Sob (noun)

  1. an act of sobbing
  2. a sound like that of a sob
  3. son of a bitch

Sob (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "the child sobbed when she found the dead frog"

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

Sob (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in cry, tears

    similar: cry, tears, groan, howl, keen, lament, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail, agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping, hand-wringing, regret, complaint, cri de coeur, outcry, protest, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woe
    opposite: exultation, rejoicing, cheering, laughing, smiling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sob

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sob:

Chiefly British: blub
bawl, blubber, cry, weep, tears, groan, howl, keen, lament, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail, agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping, hand-wringing, regret, complaint, cri de coeur, outcry, protest, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woe

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sob

Words with the opposite meaning of Sob:

exultation, rejoicing, cheering, laughing, smiling

Related Words for Sob

greet, grieve, mourn, scream, squall, yowl, bleat, mewl, pule, whimper, whine, sniffle, snivel, sigh

Word Forms of Sob

Inflections: sobbed, sobbing, SOBs, SOB's

Origin & Etymology of Sob

Middle English sobben; akin to Middle Low German sabben to drool

First known use: 13th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Sob

sob sister, sob story

Frequently Asked Questions about Sob

What does "Sob" mean?

"Sob" means to catch the breath audibly in a spasmodic contraction of the throat. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to catch the breath audibly in a spasmodic contraction of the throat. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sob"?

Other words for "Sob" include bawl, blub, blubber, cry, weep, tears, groan and howl. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sob" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sob"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sob". Common alternatives include bawl, blub, blubber, cry, weep, tears, groan, howl, keen and lament.

What is the opposite of "Sob"?

Antonyms of "Sob" include exultation, rejoicing, cheering, laughing and smiling.

How do you use "Sob" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sob" in a sentence: "the child sobbed when she found the dead frog".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Sob"?

"Sob" is pronounced /ˈsäb/ as a verb and /ˌes-ˌō-ˈbē/ as a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Sob"?

"Sob" comes from Middle English sobben; akin to Middle Low German sabben to drool. First known use: 13th centuryi.