What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bawling
Example
The baby started bawling when her toy was taken away. [bawling: verb]
Example
She couldn't hold back her tears and started bawling uncontrollably. [bawling: adverb]
howling
Example
The wolves were howling in the distance, creating an eerie atmosphere. [howling: verb]
Example
The comedian had the audience howling with laughter throughout the entire show. [howling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bawling is less common and more specific to describing intense crying or distress, while howling is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, including animal behavior and laughter.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bawling and howling?
Both bawling and howling are informal words, but bawling is generally used in more casual and emotional situations, while howling can be used in a wider range of formality levels, depending on the context.
