What is the difference between blubbering and sobbing? [closed]

Mostly because I see these words used interchangeably, and wish to know the difference.

Solution 1:

I'm surprised that of all the dictionaries I've checked so far, only Cambridge Dictionary adds what I consider to be a necessary caveat:

blubber [verb] [I] [informal] [disapproving]

(UK informal blub) to cry in a noisy way like a child:

• There he sat, cowering against the wall, blubbering like a child.
• Oh stop blubbing! Your knee can't hurt that much.

AHD, Collins and R H K Webster's, Merriam-Webster, Lexico, and Macmillan have merely to sob noisily and/or unrestrainedly/uncontrollably.

Nevertheless, the childish / disapproving qualification is warranted in my opinion; I'd rarely use the verb myself. 'Sobbing' is totally unmarked in this way, and can readily be used where the loud / violent crying is deemed fully justified. There is no hint of disapproval.