Antonyms for babble

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : bab-uhl

Phonetic Transcription : ˈbæb əl

Definition of babble

Origin : mid-13c., babeln "to prattle, chatter," akin to other Western European words for stammering and prattling (cf. Swedish babbla, Old French babillier) attested from the same era, some of which probably were borrowed from others, but etymologists cannot now determine which were original. Probably imitative of baby-talk, in any case (cf. Latin babulus "babbler," Greek barbaros "non-Greek-speaking"). "No direct connexion with Babel can be traced; though association with that may have affected the senses" [OED]. Meaning "to repeat oneself incoherently, speak foolishly" is attested from c.1400. Related: Babbled; babbling.

noun trivial talk, often incessant
verb talk trivially, often incessantly

Example sentences :

Thence a babble of excited voices had reached him as he approached.
Extract from : « The Sea-Hawk » by Raphael Sabatini

Her words, too, were incoherent, as incoherent as the babble of the children themselves.
Extract from : « The Twins of Suffering Creek » by Ridgwell Cullum

Donegal listened; and there was no babble of voices, and the rest of the orchestra was silent.
Extract from : « Death of a Spaceman » by Walter M. Miller

For a time Renouard, silent, as if he had not heard a word of all that babble, did not stir.
Extract from : « Within the Tides » by Joseph Conrad

There was a babble of voices from the loudspeaker, punctuated by bursts of static.
Extract from : « Death Wish » by Robert Sheckley

It must be awfully trying, though, not to be able to babble when you're pleased.
Extract from : « Miss Pat at School » by Pemberton Ginther

They followed their aunt to the waiting cars, where a babble of greetings met them.
Extract from : « Phyllis » by Dorothy Whitehill

What mattered it to me now, this babble of dumps and dust, of claims and clean-ups?
Extract from : « The Trail of '98 » by Robert W. Service

Endicott turned away as the crowd broke into a babble of voices.
Extract from : « Prairie Flowers » by James B. Hendryx

There were other sounds as well; the babble of alien voices and the rumble of drums.
Extract from : « Creatures of Vibration » by Harl Vincent

Synonyms for babble

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019