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
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 barking
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
While McIlroy missed the eventual attempt, Lowry did not, ramming in a winner and turning to the crowd, pounding his chest and barking back.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
New research into Rembrandt van Rijn’s 1642 masterpiece suggests that this barking dog was inspired by the title page of a widely available book on the temptations of the flesh, illustrated by the Dutch artist, poet and publisher Adriaen van de Venne.
—Senay Boztas, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
There were female writers, women who were the lead supervising producers barking out the assignments and calling the shots.
—Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Guards barking over speakers ordered her not to speak or even to move.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The dog descends a few stairs and continues barking loudly as the perpetrator tosses the dynamite into the courtyard.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
This seems to be the case for one dachshund caught on camera barking at the ceiling, pacing the floor, and even jumping on the couch to get closer to a pipe above its head.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
While McIlroy missed the eventual attempt, Lowry did not, ramming in a winner and turning to the crowd, pounding his chest and barking back.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
New research into Rembrandt van Rijn’s 1642 masterpiece suggests that this barking dog was inspired by the title page of a widely available book on the temptations of the flesh, illustrated by the Dutch artist, poet and publisher Adriaen van de Venne.
—Senay Boztas, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
There were female writers, women who were the lead supervising producers barking out the assignments and calling the shots.
—Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Guards barking over speakers ordered her not to speak or even to move.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The dog descends a few stairs and continues barking loudly as the perpetrator tosses the dynamite into the courtyard.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barking. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share