bleat

verb \ ˈblēt , Northern also ˈblat , Southern usually ˈblāt \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: bleat in a Sentence

Definition of bleat

bleated; bleating; bleats

intransitive verb

1 a : to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat; also : to utter a similar sound

b : whimper

2 a : to talk complainingly or with a whine

b : blather

transitive verb

: to utter in a bleating manner

—

bleater

noun

See bleat defined for English-language learners

See bleat defined for kids

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

The lamb bleated as I approached.
“But why can't I go?” she bleated.
The labor union is always bleating about the management.

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

At first, some colleagues seem startled to hear her signature song’s bleating horns.

— cassie owens, Philly.com, "Where have all the musical ringtones gone?," 24 May 2018
Woods expanded into fields full of sheep that bleated in pitches high and low—short like hiccups, long like pleas.

— anya yurchyshyn, refinery29.com, "For This Author, Mother's Day Is An Occasion For Reckoning," 11 May 2018
The Trump administration is full of cheerful kleptocrats like Mulvaney, all of whom share a remarkable ability to bleat about swamp-draining in public while using their newfound positions of power to enrich themselves or people like them in private.

— jay willis, GQ, "Trump Officials Are Now Openly Bragging About How Corrupt They Are," 25 Apr. 2018
There have been at least 14 emergency alerts sent to cellphones over the past week, and those around the Olympic Park here received eight separate, bleating alerts on Wednesday alone.

— andrew keh, New York Times, "This Is Not a Drill: Another ‘Emergency’ Alert Is On Its Way," 14 Feb. 2018
There have been at least 14 emergency alerts sent to cellphones over the past week, and those around the Olympic Park here received eight separate, bleating alerts on Wednesday alone.

— author: andrew keh, Anchorage Daily News, "This is not a drill: Emergency cellphone alerts at the Winter Games become annoying," 14 Feb. 2018
Thus the bleating about how Republican worries over FISA abuse are just a smokescreen for discrediting Mueller’s investigation.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "‘Delegitimizing’ Mueller? Don’t Blame the Nunes Memo," 7 Feb. 2018
Speech ultimately seemed no more consequential than bleating or barking.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "In 'Doggie Hamlet,' a cast of canines, sheep and, yes, humans — ay, there's the rub," 5 Feb. 2018
Joe Anderson still bleating on about Ross Barkley's move to Chelsea.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson's Calls for Police Investigation in Angry Ross Barkley Letter," 9 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bleat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bleat

Middle English bleten, from Old English blǣtan; akin to Latin flēre to weep, Old English bellan to roar — more at bellow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

bleat Synonyms

Phrases

kick up a fuss;

bleat

noun

Definition of bleat

1 : the cry of a sheep or goat; also : a similar sound

the bleat of a cell phone

2 : a feeble outcry, protest, or complaint

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

Hip-hop has been moving in this direction for the last few years, from Future’s purple opiate haze to Travis Scott’s head-in-the clouds bleats — styles that lend themselves easily to ambient bliss.

— New York Times, "Post Malone and Rae Sremmurd, Hip-Hop Impressionists Shaping the Stream," 9 May 2018
In an unseen orchestra that bleats and blares, an urgent trombone chorus heralds every leap into banality.

— joe morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Tomb Raider’ Review: Buried by Absurdity," 15 Mar. 2018
Not a sound from anywhere, save the occasional bleat from one of the Hansens' sheep.

— boris fishman, Smithsonian, "This Lake Is One of Montana’s Best Kept Secrets," 16 Aug. 2017
He's been front-page for months, every bleat, blurt, yelp, and belch.

— author: garrison keillor, Alaska Dispatch News, "Taking stock in the ordinary goodness of life," 6 Aug. 2017
And thanks to the generosity of some village residents, the sounds of those warning bleats from the trains that pass through will stop.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Rail at a crossroad: Glendale's quiet zone is on track," 29 Aug. 2017
Not a sound from anywhere, save the occasional bleat from one of the Hansens' sheep.

— boris fishman, Smithsonian, "This Lake Is One of Montana’s Best Kept Secrets," 16 Aug. 2017
Then no tax cuts either: Fans of 'goat yoga' move to a different bleat:

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Progressives revive attacks on Wall Street in health care's wake," 19 July 2017
The bleats have been long and loud in California since President Trump’s administration released its first proposed budget, one that won’t be finalized for several months.

— thomas d. elias, Orange County Register, "No surprise that Trump budget hits California hard," 30 May 2017

First Known Use of bleat

1508

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, lament, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, yammer;

Near Antonyms

commendation, compliment, plaudit;

acclaim, applause, praise;

approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction;

BLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

bleat

verb

Definition of bleat for English Language Learners

: to make the sound that a sheep or goat makes
: to speak or complain in an annoying way

BLEAT Defined for Kids

bleat

verb \ ˈblēt \

Definition of bleat for Students

bleated; bleating

: to make the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf

bleat

noun

Definition of bleat for Students

: the sound made by a sheep, goat, or calf

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bleat

Definition of bleat

bleater

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bleat

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

bleat

Definition of bleat

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

First Known Use of bleat

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

BLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

bleat

Definition of bleat for English Language Learners

BLEAT Defined for Kids

bleat

Definition of bleat for Students

bleat

Definition of bleat for Students

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