bray

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈbrā

brayed; braying; brays

Synonyms of bray next

intransitive verb

: to utter the characteristic loud harsh cry of a donkey

a braying donkey

also : to utter a sound like a donkey's

bray with laughter

transitive verb

: to utter or play loudly or harshly

"I'm the best!" he brayed.

bray noun

bray

2 of 2

verb (2)

brayed; braying; brays

transitive verb

: to crush or grind fine

bray seeds in a mortar

: to spread thin

bray printing ink

Examples of bray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In a world of social media braying and relentless self-promotion, Holstein’s modesty is refreshing. —

Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 7 Sep. 2023 Meanwhile, conservative Southerners brayed at Truman’s gestures toward the Black electorate. —

Aram Goudsouzian, Washington Post, 29 June 2023 Yet when the braying mob of anti-LGBTQ+ reactionaries targeted Target, the company folded like a cheap off-the-rack suit. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2023 In Greek folklore, a donkey — an equid involved in the harvest and production of wine — was the mount that carried the god Dionysus into battle against the Giants, and flutes fashioned from donkey tibiae (which produced a braying-like sound) were used in his worship. —

Franz Lidz Samuel Aranda, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2023 In reality, neither Nathaniel nor Priscilla had a chance: The family court judge, the larger-than-life, brash and braying Patrick Shelton, locked them both out of the process. —

Robert Kolker, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023 Leagues and team owners and sponsors will bray against it, because of their insatiable desire to make money, money and more money. —

Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2021 Brees and everyone else who’s brayed about Kaepernick disrespecting the anthem or the flag fails to realize that those are symbols for the ideals and rights enshrined in our Constitution. —

Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 3 June 2020 When Emily picked up dinner recently at a local restaurant, a couple of braying young customers laughed at her mask. —

Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 23 May 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French braire to cry, bellow, roar, from Vulgar Latin *bragere, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish braigid he breaks wind

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French braier, breier, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German brehhan to break — more at break

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of bray was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century