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ramble

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verb

1
as in to rattle
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point the teenagers sat around the pizza parlor, rambling on about dating, homework, movies, and the local football team

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to stroll
to travel by foot for exercise or pleasure we're planning to ramble all over the highland moors when we're in Dartmoor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ramble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ramble are meander, roam, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When could meander be used to replace ramble?

In some situations, the words meander and ramble are roughly equivalent. However, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When might roam be a better fit than ramble?

While the synonyms roam and ramble are close in meaning, roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When is it sensible to use rove instead of ramble?

Although the words rove and ramble have much in common, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is traipse a more appropriate choice than ramble?

The words traipse and ramble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

Where would wander be a reasonable alternative to ramble?

The synonyms wander and ramble are sometimes interchangeable, but wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ramble
Noun
Horton Creek Trail: This shady ramble follows a beautiful stream to a gushing spring. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024 Instead, Trump is likely to face someone two decades younger than him (Harris is 59; Trump is 78) without the same habit of missteps and rambles. Philip Bump, Washington Post, 22 July 2024
Verb
The Democratic Party lost the presidency to an unpopular, indisciplined authoritarian with a penchant for rambling incoherently about Hannibal Lecter — again. Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024 Instead, these meteors ramble along in space and are especially noticeable from late October into early November, when both the Southern and Northern Taurids overlap. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ramble 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramble
Noun
  • Research from Maryland shows that 20 to 40 percent of mature bucks continue to make doe excursions into December.
    Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
  • On our return to The Ravel after every excursion, we are greeted by a welcome party of staff holding out a cold towel and a glass of buck's fizz.
    James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Don’t be aggressive with calling, rattling, or decoying since reclusive bucks rarely respond well to those aggressive tactics.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Nothing can rattle your confidence as the moon and sun harmonize.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • People wander around and try to capture Pokémon using their smartphones.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Perfect for dashing through the airport and wandering around town.
    Erinne Magee, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • So far, McLeod has strolled through Barnsdall Park with Ed Begley, Jr., hiked the Arroyo Seco with actor Dan Stevens and traversed the Bunker Hill Pedway with comedian Jon Gabrus.
    Raef Harrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
  • On the Thursday before the floods, after canceling reservations, Goss strolled through town and was mildly surprised to see residents stacking sandbags in front of doorways.
    Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Climb the cabin’s scenic watchtower to scout for wildlife like ospreys, bald eagles, and deer, or catch more flora and fauna from the nearby hiking jaunts, including six-mile out-and-back Snoopers Rock Trail, roughly a 30-minute drive away.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Skip the Rose Bowl loop and take this woodsy path instead This 2-mile jaunt in Pasadena takes you away from the busy Rose Bowl loop to a quieter path.
    L.A. Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Brittany Patterson, 41, was arrested on suspicion of reckless conduct on Oct. 30 over her son's unsupervised walk, according to the Fannin County Sheriff's Office.
    Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Every effort at emotional connection is initiated by me (like planning date nights or going out for a walk to have a conversation).
    Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The service has roaming agreements with hundreds of carriers to support connectivity worldwide.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • The atoms in this liquid metallic hydrogen are squeezed so tightly that its electrons are free to roam.
    Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In this rematch, Metcalf will return from a knee injury that cost him two games, and the 49ers’ cornerbacks will be led by Lenoir, who saunters in fresh off Wednesday’s contract extension (five years, $92 million).
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The Clippers finished practice Thursday at Intuit Dome and were preparing to leave for their preseason game against Portland in Seattle on Friday when Kawhi Leonard sauntered toward the media wearing his practice gear.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near ramble

Cite this Entry

“Ramble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramble. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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