bleat

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

Definition of bleat

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

Mr. Sheeran singing grimly and Lil Uzi Vert working the stage like a catwalk while bleating out his lyrics.

— jon caramanica, New York Times, "Pop Star Egos Are Pushed Aside at Wacky, Socially Aware MTV V.M.A.s," 28 Aug. 2017
But experiencing the eclipse among thousands of grazing, bleating sheep?

— OregonLive.com, "5 bizarre things that happened during the eclipse," 21 Aug. 2017
As the fawn bleated, the big bird held on to the back of the young deer, eventually driving it underwater.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Woman captures video of bald eagle killing fawn," 19 Aug. 2017
Chicken and the egg: was my form, my essence, preventing me from being active, or were my static days, the Florida heat bleating harshly from pre-dawn to post-dusk, the cause of my worthless body?

— lindsay hunter, Longreads, "You Are a Jigsaw Puzzle with Missing Food-Shaped Pieces," 15 Aug. 2017
One of the tiniest goats bleated and scrambled to get out of its owner's grip.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Young goat herders seek ribbons, camaraderie," 26 July 2017
The official teams will be announced on a not-so-dramatic show on ESPN (not everything on there is the NFL or two hosts bleating at each other) on Sunday.

— ryan divish, The Seattle Times, "Here’s how the All-Star teams should play out," 1 July 2017
It’s hard to underestimate how much Republicans want to pass some sort of Obamacare repeal, regardless of individual senators’ bleating.

— clio chang, New Republic, "The Senate health care bill is far from dead.," 28 June 2017
The zoo was inaugurated in 1875 on what was then a quiet patch on the outskirts of Buenos Aires but is now an urban zone of busy avenues with bleating buses near the animal cages.

— luis andres henao, The Seattle Times, "Animals still in cages a year after Buenos Aires zoo closure," 23 May 2017

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

See Words from the same year

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, bellyache, bitch, complain, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl

Antonyms

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words

object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms

accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commend

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

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 gentle call of birds floated overhead, occasionally mixing with the goats’ bleats, as yogis laid out mats among the pygmies.

— emily chappell, Detroit Free Press, "Yoga lovers are finding their zen in a field of goats," 29 June 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
Nobody thinks much of the Cavs these days … not even the Cavs, who aren’t doing the usual bleat about lack of respect.

— mark heisler, Orange County Register, "Heisler: We knew MJ and you’re not him — hard times for LeBron and East," 8 Apr. 2017
The whining of the wind, the whistle of a marmot and an occasional bleat from sheep somewhere in the distance are the only sounds.

— the washington post, The Denver Post, "Empty-nesters continue the hike 19 years later on a long mountain trail in the Pyrenees," 30 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of bleat

1508

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, bitch, complaint, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer

Related Words

challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink

Near Antonyms

commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction

BLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

bleat

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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

play

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

Learn More about bleat

See words that rhyme with bleat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bleat Spanish Central: Translation of bleat Nglish: Translation of bleat for Spanish speakers

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bleat

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bleater

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Origin and Etymology of bleat

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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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

Related Words

Near Antonyms

BLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

bleat

Definition of bleat for English Language Learners

BLEAT Defined for Kids

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Definition of bleat for Students

bleat

Definition of bleat for Students

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