1
as in puppies
a domestic mammal that is related to the wolves and foxes
a dog who needs a loving home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
she must think that you're a real dog after hearing those tasteless jokes you told last night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in chases
to go after or on the track of
star athletes being dogged by fans when they're out in public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hounds
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
tired of constantly having to dog their son about cleaning his room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dogs
J.d. Miles, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
In the harsh afternoon sun, it was deserted except for dogs dozing on the rocks, and lovers seeking a shred of privacy.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
That experience hobbled development of Lyme vaccines for humans, though multiple companies now make them for dogs.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The group included a German shepherd, a golden retriever, and a Corgi, among other dogs, Guancha reported.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
The group included a German shepherd, a golden retriever and a Corgi, among other dogs, Guancha reported.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
This month, one of my dogs is having a lump removed, which will cost about $1,100.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Multiple studies have shown that puppies, and dogs, in general, are important for emotional and physical well-being, including reducing stress, loneliness and lowering blood pressure, the American Kennel Club said.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Initially, the department announced that about 400 dogs and 300 cats were being triaged, but that total was later massively downgraded.
—City News Service, Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Cadaver dogs on hold as search for Nancy Guthrie enters fifth week with no answers.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
But what Mom noticed most were the thoughtful touches—yoga mats in the closet, dogs padding through the lobby of this pet-friendly property, bikes ready for guests to explore.
—Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Therapy dogs with the nonprofit also help children learn to read and assist in clinical therapy settings.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Some dogs his size might have ended up getting into some pretty major trouble trying to climb up onto the swing seat, but not Hank.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Holtz and other South Florida hospitals have long used therapy dogs to provide patients with emotional support, either by hiring handlers to bring in the furry companions or by having their own in-house therapy dogs to make more frequent rounds.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
There are also disease detection dogs that sniff out cancers, diabetes and other medical conditions through human breath, sweat and urine samples.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 25 Aug. 2025
Carrie and her friends’ authority over Manhattan cool originally evoked a big-sister confidence that would be difficult to replicate now, at a time when suspicion dogs anyone claiming knowledge or expertise.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Federal authorities allege in an indictment that the images portrayed of dogs raised and offered for sale at the Giant German Shepherd Ranch in Hopkins County were a disguise for a place where, instead, cruelty and neglect were rampant.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
In the harsh afternoon sun, it was deserted except for dogs dozing on the rocks, and lovers seeking a shred of privacy.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
That experience hobbled development of Lyme vaccines for humans, though multiple companies now make them for dogs.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The group included a German shepherd, a golden retriever, and a Corgi, among other dogs, Guancha reported.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026
The group included a German shepherd, a golden retriever and a Corgi, among other dogs, Guancha reported.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
This month, one of my dogs is having a lump removed, which will cost about $1,100.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Multiple studies have shown that puppies, and dogs, in general, are important for emotional and physical well-being, including reducing stress, loneliness and lowering blood pressure, the American Kennel Club said.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Initially, the department announced that about 400 dogs and 300 cats were being triaged, but that total was later massively downgraded.
—City News Service, Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Economists, analysts, and investors have spent the past few days sounding the alarm about stagflation, a uniquely nerve-racking scenario in which high inflation dogs a low-growth, stagnant economy.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Cadaver dogs on hold as search for Nancy Guthrie enters fifth week with no answers.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
But what Mom noticed most were the thoughtful touches—yoga mats in the closet, dogs padding through the lobby of this pet-friendly property, bikes ready for guests to explore.
—Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Therapy dogs with the nonprofit also help children learn to read and assist in clinical therapy settings.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Some dogs his size might have ended up getting into some pretty major trouble trying to climb up onto the swing seat, but not Hank.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Holtz and other South Florida hospitals have long used therapy dogs to provide patients with emotional support, either by hiring handlers to bring in the furry companions or by having their own in-house therapy dogs to make more frequent rounds.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
There are also disease detection dogs that sniff out cancers, diabetes and other medical conditions through human breath, sweat and urine samples.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 25 Aug. 2025
Carrie and her friends’ authority over Manhattan cool originally evoked a big-sister confidence that would be difficult to replicate now, at a time when suspicion dogs anyone claiming knowledge or expertise.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogs
Verb
-
Catcher Clayton Namken chases a high fastball, striking out swinging.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Prying the 26-year-old striker away from Chelsea as the club chases a Women’s Super League title wasn’t cheap.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Grabber hounds Finn through an old phone booth and torments Gwen through her dreams.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Vavassori hounds the net with his teradactyl-like wingspan.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The checkpoint ahead crawls forward as officers slide mirrors beneath cars and canines weave through the line, sniffing for explosives.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The canines ripped through tough hides, devouring high-fat tissue and leaving carcasses with soft meat on the bone—a perfect meal for ravens who seemed to follow the kill.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
How did clowns become a protest symbol?—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pop Mart tracks sales and social media data closely.—
Elaine Yu,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
And the position manages allotments and the facilities’ budget, tracks expenditures, invoices, accounts payable and receivables, lease structures and lease management, and matters related to program needs.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Much of the rising interest is tied to claims that these mixed pooches possess more desirable aspects than many purebreeds or mutts.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The cuddly canines and spirited mutts making up Team Fluff and Team Ruff will battle for the coveted Lombarky Trophy, while also playing up for the cameras in hopes of finding their forever home.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Smarmy jerks can get obscenely wealthy in this country just by managing other people’s money.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hayes is twenty years old, on a whirlwind world tour, and creating the band’s second album, but pursues Soléne for a simple lunch that quickly turns into a love affair.—
Haruka Iwasaki,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
They are also given a say on which projects the studio pursues.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dogs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogs. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
