as in shouting
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 barking
Tim Fang, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Generations of beach-going visitors have photographed the barking sea lions that lounge on the wharf’s supports, eaten clam chowder, gone fishing and enjoyed the scenic views of Monterey Bay.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
At the end of the day, retire to your yurt or campsite and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves, sea lions barking in the distance, and the ocean breeze.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Like pulling Carlton for the fourth quarter against the Bruins after her three buckets in the third had closed the gap and put Texas back in the game, and barking at her on the bench.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
In a recording of a different non-emergency call demonstrated for USA TODAY, the Aurelian system answered a call from a man reporting his neighbor's barking dogs.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
At a minimum, my house would be filled with barking, and at a maximum, another dog could be stressed or even possibly hurt.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Chesney had escaped from an outside enclosure on March 25, after being frightened by some unknown barking dogs.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
The dog was left unattended and barking.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Generations of beach-going visitors have photographed the barking sea lions that lounge on the wharf’s supports, eaten clam chowder, gone fishing and enjoyed the scenic views of Monterey Bay.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
At the end of the day, retire to your yurt or campsite and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves, sea lions barking in the distance, and the ocean breeze.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Like pulling Carlton for the fourth quarter against the Bruins after her three buckets in the third had closed the gap and put Texas back in the game, and barking at her on the bench.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026
In a recording of a different non-emergency call demonstrated for USA TODAY, the Aurelian system answered a call from a man reporting his neighbor's barking dogs.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
At a minimum, my house would be filled with barking, and at a maximum, another dog could be stressed or even possibly hurt.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Chesney had escaped from an outside enclosure on March 25, after being frightened by some unknown barking dogs.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barking. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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