ramble 1 of 2

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

Example 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
There are daily rambles along classic trails each day, against a backdrop of pinnacles, and glaciers. Everett Potter, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 And the Rams had to deal with two of those soul-crushing rambles. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
The rambling squash vines cover the soil, serving as a living mulch to manage weeds and conserve soil moisture. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025 The rambling account contained screenshots of their private correspondences and accused Quinn, among several allegations, of sleeping with a journalist for the gaming site Kotaku in exchange for a positive review. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ramble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramble
Noun
  • Calmer adventures in the air are new helicopter excursions over the region’s geothermal terraces and mountain peaks plus a culinary adventure to Craggy Range Winery in the North Island’s gastronomic center, Hawke’s Bay.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Its five spacious cabins overlook snowy peaks and flower-freckled hillsides, and its owners, the Claus family, offer adventures like hiking, sandbar picnics, and fly-out excursions.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The move has rattled economists, manufacturers, and security experts.
    Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Trump’s evolving tariff policies and economic war with China continue to rattle investors and businesses.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Alberta is skeptical… until Hetty points out how Pete has been wandering and dating up a storm, was secretly in the mafia and punched Thor in the face after the Viking slept with Carol.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Walking, riding, limping, trudging, scooting, strolling — all the various forms of low-speed locomotion — define the experience of being in New York.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
  • All to the excitement of onlookers strolling along the avenue, ending at Rockefeller Center to celebrate the day.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And, being just 20 minutes from Athens’ city center, the hotel is perfectly positioned for both lazy beach days and quick jaunts to the Acropolis.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Today By Paulina Berges A short jaunt from one of Kyoto’s busiest junctions, Good Nature Hotel is positioned between Gion and Nishiki Market.
    Christina Liao, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Guests can enjoy peaceful walks through pine forests, bike rides along scenic trails, indulge in treatments at the spa, or simply relax by the pool.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Baty has more extra-base hits and more pop in his bat, while Acuña draws more walks.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The other two dogs, who were able to roam the property, were found alive and taken into care.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The dogs were reported by passersby who alerted the KC Pet Project that dogs appeared to be dumped and roaming the area.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • George and his frequent collaborator/fellow Georgian/white boy/former nanny Dan Ewen had sauntered into Act III’s offices a few weeks earlier.
    Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul sauntered across the stage freestyling and hitting choreography with her backup dancers in a seemingly endless collection of gorgeous leotard-centric costumes — most of which came complete with a matching fitted and pair of boots.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ramble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramble. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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