1
as in wandering
passing from one topic to another
I listened patiently to Mrs. Parsifal's rambling reminiscences, though I had no idea who "Dorothy" and "the stepson" were
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in talkative
using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea
the new minister gives rambling sermons that, if they have a point, are lost on the congregation, which invariably falls asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rattling
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
as in roaming
to move about from place to place aimlessly
by tirelessly rambling around San Francisco for a week we probably saw more of it than many residents ever have
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in strolling
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
1
2
as in prolixity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rambling
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Cristin Milioti’s therapy notes, Seth Rogen’s rambling delight, Owen Cooper’s halting honesty, all examples of presence that will outlast the highlight reels of gowns and jokes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Bargatze’s bit is predicated on the fact that most awards show speeches are self-indulgent, rambling tributes to other celebrities, which is fine.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
The final part is a rather rambling segment philosophizing on proof of the afterlife—in line with dozens of similar texts from this era of psychical research.
—Alice Vernon
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
The videos, which depict handwritten journals and a display of high-powered weaponry, paint a portrait of a person with a rambling and deeply nihilistic outlook, according to analyses by law enforcement and ABC News.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
The rambling rocks appear to travel across the sand on their own, leaving clear dirt trails in their wake.
—Andrew Paul Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
There were also quirks unique to AI—such as getting derailed by ASCII art or lapsing into philosophical rambling during long tasks.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Roger Naylor shares 10 favorite Arizona destinations from his 50 years of rambling here.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As Minneapolis reels from the shooting, officials are combing through Westman’s rambling writings – which the shooter shared in YouTube videos timed to go online around the same time as the attack – to search for a motive.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump has long bragged about his cognitive ability, repeatedly offering to take a cognitive exam alongside Biden during the 2024 campaign, and has claimed his rambling is a purposeful speaking style.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Boelter’s motivation remains unclear, but investigators found a one-and-a-half-page letter, described as rambling and difficult to read, that was ascribed to him.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Cristin Milioti’s therapy notes, Seth Rogen’s rambling delight, Owen Cooper’s halting honesty, all examples of presence that will outlast the highlight reels of gowns and jokes.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Bargatze’s bit is predicated on the fact that most awards show speeches are self-indulgent, rambling tributes to other celebrities, which is fine.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
The final part is a rather rambling segment philosophizing on proof of the afterlife—in line with dozens of similar texts from this era of psychical research.
—Alice Vernon
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
The videos, which depict handwritten journals and a display of high-powered weaponry, paint a portrait of a person with a rambling and deeply nihilistic outlook, according to analyses by law enforcement and ABC News.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
The rambling rocks appear to travel across the sand on their own, leaving clear dirt trails in their wake.
—Andrew Paul Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
There were also quirks unique to AI—such as getting derailed by ASCII art or lapsing into philosophical rambling during long tasks.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
What on Earth was Gabriel rambling on about before, anyway?
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Roger Naylor shares 10 favorite Arizona destinations from his 50 years of rambling here.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As Minneapolis reels from the shooting, officials are combing through Westman’s rambling writings – which the shooter shared in YouTube videos timed to go online around the same time as the attack – to search for a motive.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Trump has long bragged about his cognitive ability, repeatedly offering to take a cognitive exam alongside Biden during the 2024 campaign, and has claimed his rambling is a purposeful speaking style.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rambling
Adjective
-
This shot of the wandering comet 12P/Pons-Brooks was taken in early 2024 around the solar maximum by Dan Bartlett, who was able to capture spectacular structural detail in the trail of the wandering solar system body.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The caravan experience appealed to Bella, not because of the wandering but, rather, because Cuthbertson offered structure.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After all, for seven seasons, Graham and Bledel starred as the unstoppable (and oh-so-talkative) mother-daughter duo of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the two besties at the center of Stars Hollow, a small Connecticut town with a very big personality.—
Samantha Highfill,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Harjo understands better than all but a few of his star’s previous collaborators how to weaponize Hawke’s gift for playing talkative dirtbags who are equal parts insufferable and charming.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No rattling wheels, no jolts, just a smooth, whisper-quiet ride.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
-
At Chapman University, senior Zack Dell said the assassination has been rattling.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ron Perez, president and CEO of CGHS, told Newsweek that someone found Petal in an alleyway, roaming the streets of Hudson.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Homeowners in Godley's Star Ranch subdivision told NBC DFW that the animals, often seen roaming near new housing developments, appear malnourished and at risk of disease.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The expansion will add new areas for strolling and hanging out.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Cape May is not only scenic but a perfect beach town, with a promenade for strolling or biking and a myriad of excellent restaurants serving local seafood.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Steve Carell stars as the would-be villain with a heart of gold, Gru, leader of the babbling Minions.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Trump, too, has inexplicable lapses of babbling and has fallen asleep at inauspicious moments.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Madewell recently launched the Balloon Jean, a 100 percent cotton jean designed with a high rise and exaggerated barrel-leg shape.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The clean tech sector's frenzied growth during Biden-era policy has slowed but, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of its demise are grossly exaggerated.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Any cell drifting in the skies is blasted with UV rays and desiccated.—
Katherine Bourzac,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Even an imperfect north star is better than drifting rudderless.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rambling. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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