ramble 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ramblenext
1
as in excursion
a short trip for pleasure the couple's weekend rambles up and down the valley in search of interesting antiques

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in stroll
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure our usual practice is to take a ramble around the neighborhood after dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

ramble

2 of 2

verb

ˈram-bəl How to pronounce ramble (audio)
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
as in to wander
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 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
  1. excursion
  2. rattle
  3. wander
  4. stroll
  5. jaunt
  6. walk
  7. roam
  8. saunter
Noun
  • Their work has included three spacewalks — including a record-breaking excursion outside of the space station, and conducting a sweeping range of experiments.
    — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • She was later spotted holding hands with Charlie Gooch during a Valentine's Day excursion in London the following year.
    — Jen Juneau, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of excursion
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
Definition of rattle
Verb
  • On Monday night, a glittering crowd stepped out to celebrate the store’s opening, before heading over to Palazzo Serbelloni to wander through its halls and take in the homewares collection.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That means that future missions to Titan will have a rough time tracking down any solitary microbes that might be wandering about.
    — David Szondy, New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of wander
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
Definition of stroll
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
Definition of jaunt
Noun
  • Arkansas 11, Texas A&M 5 — End 8th Inning Justin Thomas drew a 1-out walk and scored his third run in the eighth inning on Wehiwa Aloy's second RBI, a fielder's choice.
    — Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 18 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of walk
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of roam
Verb
  • From there, a large portion of that audience sauntered a block away on South First Street to party at the Pete Be Center, a yet-to-open venue for live music that looks ready to go (and is an entire transformation of when the space was Uproar Brewery a few years back).
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Kenny Chesney takes over the Sphere stage in May after Dead & Company's run is over and the Backstreet Boys saunter in come July. U2: Band's Sphere concert film is staggeringly lifelike.
    — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of saunter

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Ramble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramble. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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