as in shouted
to speak sharply or irritably
the new supervisor found that speaking to people with a civil tongue got better results than barking at them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barked
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Steve’s gun barked almost in my ear, and the sound brought that treetop skirmish to a sudden conclusion.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
The rescue organization went through multiple meet-and-greets with the adopter, but at his home, Wilbur barked at the husband.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Grealish was animated on the bench with backroom staff, seemingly gesturing about tactical positioning, while Coleman barked instructions from the touchline.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Nobody seemed in charge when things got crazy, so different instructions were being barked out haphazardly by all four men.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The officer walked slowly into the alley, where Georgia Peach and Bolt barked, then trotted in the officer’s direction.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Stretch took every order Vrabel barked through his open office door.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
As reporters walked by where Broadbelt’s body was found, a large black dog in a front yard barked loudly and ran along the fence.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Steve’s gun barked almost in my ear, and the sound brought that treetop skirmish to a sudden conclusion.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
The rescue organization went through multiple meet-and-greets with the adopter, but at his home, Wilbur barked at the husband.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Grealish was animated on the bench with backroom staff, seemingly gesturing about tactical positioning, while Coleman barked instructions from the touchline.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Nobody seemed in charge when things got crazy, so different instructions were being barked out haphazardly by all four men.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The officer walked slowly into the alley, where Georgia Peach and Bolt barked, then trotted in the officer’s direction.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Stretch took every order Vrabel barked through his open office door.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barked. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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