sob

To cry with loud, broken breaths.

• The child began to sob.
• She sobbed into her pillow.
• He was sobbing so hard that he could barely breathe.

How to use it: sob with something (She sobbed with relief when her son returned.)

Similar words: weep, cry

Common phrases: sob uncontrollably, sob into something, sob with grief

To say something while crying with broken breaths.

• “I’m sorry,” she sobbed.
• He sobbed out the news about his dog.
• The boy sobbed that he wanted to go home.

How to use it: sob that… (She sobbed that she had lost her keys.); sob out something (He sobbed out a few words of thanks.)

Common phrases: sob out something, sob a reply

A short, broken sound someone makes while crying.

• I heard a quiet sob.
• She tried to hold back her sobs.
• A loud sob broke the silence.

Common phrases: let out a sob, quiet sob, muffled sob