Sobbing
noun / adjective /ˈsɒbɪŋ/ — Crying with convulsive gasps — the body insisting on grief when the mind would rather not.
Definition
Crying with convulsive gasps, making a repeated characteristic catching sound in the breath; emotional crying marked by broken, gasping breaths.
Beyond the definition
Sobbing is the involuntary quality of deep grief — the convulsive catch of breath is not chosen. Sobbing is what happens when the body takes over. It is the word for the kind of crying that exhausts you, that feels like a completion.
Origin & history
From Middle Dutch or Low German sobben — to sob. The sound of the convulsive breath — onomatopoeic in origin.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was sobbing before she understood why — the body knew before the mind was ready.
The sobbing subsided eventually, leaving a calm that felt like aftermath rather than peace.
There is a particular silence after sobbing — spent, yes, but somehow cleared.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Sobbing” when the meaning fits your context: Crying with convulsive gasps, making a repeated characteristic catching sound in the breath; emotional crying marked by broken, gasping breaths.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Deep Sadness and Reflection
An adult sits in a dark, quiet room, looking at an empty chair with a somber, reflective posture.
The person's body language suggests a deep, internal sob—a convulsive reaction to loss. The quiet, somber room emphasizes the hidden nature of their grief, where the catching breaths and emotional weight of their sadness are focused entirely on the empty chair.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Sobbing" mean?
Sobbing is noun / adjective meaning: Crying with convulsive gasps — the body insisting on grief when the mind would rather not.. Crying with convulsive gasps, making a repeated characteristic catching sound in the breath; emotional crying marked by broken, gasping breaths.
Where does the word "Sobbing" come from?
From Middle Dutch or Low German sobben — to sob. The sound of the convulsive breath — onomatopoeic in origin.