Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or sound of crying noisily while taking in short, sudden breaths: "sobbing" refers to the convulsive, often audible, inhalation and exhalation that occurs during intense weeping or crying.

Usage

• Noun: "Sobbing" is used as a singular mass noun to describe the overall act or sound. It can be modified by adjectives (e.g., , ) and is often the object of verbs like , , or .
  • The sound of her sobbing came from the next room.
  • He tried to stifle his sobbing.

Advanced Usage

• "to break into sobs/sobbing": to suddenly start crying convulsively.
  • Upon hearing the news, she broke into uncontrollable sobbing.
• "a fit of sobbing": a short period of intense crying.
  • The child had a fit of sobbing after falling down.

Variants and Related Words

• Sob (verb): to cry noisily while taking in short, sudden breaths.
  • She sobbed quietly into her pillow.
• Sob (noun): a single act or sound of sobbing.
  • He let out a sob of relief.
• Sobbingly (adverb): in a manner characterized by sobs.
  • She apologized sobbingly.

Synonyms

• Weeping: crying, shedding tears (can be quieter than sobbing).
• Bawling: crying loudly and unrestrainedly.
• Blubbering: crying noisily and uncontrollably in a way that distorts speech.

Related Phrases

• Sob story: a sad story told to elicit sympathy.
  • He told me a sob story about losing his wallet.
• Sob one's heart out: to cry very hard and for a long time.
  • After the argument, she went to her room and sobbed her heart out.

Noun

1. convulsive gasp made while weeping