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
Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
The outlet added that Johnson reportedly made multiple efforts to scare the bear away, including creating a loud makeshift alarm and playing hours of dog-barking sounds through speakers pointed into the vents.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The next day, his sides were still barking.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Flight attendants turned into drill sergeants, barking at passengers who flouted mask rules or dawdled too long eating that snack with the mask off.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
This not-quite-title song, which is nearly eight minutes long, is a sort of mini-suite, opening with a dog barking, giving way to an acoustic-guitar melody accompanying polyphonic vocals, then becoming electric and crashingly alive, until the relentless screech of a guitar drags you to the end.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Similarly, in central Gifu prefecture, the government is experimenting with drones that play the sound of dogs barking and fireworks, in a bid to scare bears away.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Redirect their attention If your dog is anxious and barking in a panic, your first step is to remove them from the trigger.
—Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Despite their small stature, dachshunds are quick to alert their owners to unfamiliar sounds or visitors, often barking persistently to signal potential intruders.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Bulldog or border collie, barking or getting its belly rubbed, a dog can be many things while still remaining a dog.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
The outlet added that Johnson reportedly made multiple efforts to scare the bear away, including creating a loud makeshift alarm and playing hours of dog-barking sounds through speakers pointed into the vents.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The next day, his sides were still barking.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Flight attendants turned into drill sergeants, barking at passengers who flouted mask rules or dawdled too long eating that snack with the mask off.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
This not-quite-title song, which is nearly eight minutes long, is a sort of mini-suite, opening with a dog barking, giving way to an acoustic-guitar melody accompanying polyphonic vocals, then becoming electric and crashingly alive, until the relentless screech of a guitar drags you to the end.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Similarly, in central Gifu prefecture, the government is experimenting with drones that play the sound of dogs barking and fireworks, in a bid to scare bears away.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Redirect their attention If your dog is anxious and barking in a panic, your first step is to remove them from the trigger.
—Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Despite their small stature, dachshunds are quick to alert their owners to unfamiliar sounds or visitors, often barking persistently to signal potential intruders.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barking. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share