barks 1 of 3

plural of bark

barks

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of bark
as in peels
to remove the natural covering of barking a tree will probably kill it

Synonyms & Similar Words

barks

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of bark
as in shouts
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 barks
Noun
There is a chorus of 14, singing sheep and a pair of dogs (hilariously portrayed by Catriona Hewitson and Edward Jowle), whose barks become words that Theresa understands as she becomes strung out. ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Incense usually comes in either cone or stick form and is composed of fragrant material — usually resins, seeds, barks and flowers — that’s bound together using a combustible material. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 Caspar David Friedrich has sketchbooks of particular branches, twigs, barks of different trees. Literary Hub, 12 May 2026 Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026 And while humans can often discern animal distress calls or differentiate dog barks, many animal noises may seem inconsequential to the untrained human ear. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2026 One hums with high-speed drills and anxiety; the other echoes with joyful barks and tail wags. Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026 On our third day, a late-afternoon beach landing on Sante Fe deposited us amid a colony of sleeping sea lions, their barks and coughs reverberating across the sandy shore. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026 That Doberman, the two black Labradors and a standard poodle better watch out for the two Chihuahuas, their barks say. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
The dog searches, finds the person, barks, and receives the toy as his reward. Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026 Early sips are big on citrus (specifically pomelo and lemon) and herbal tea, alongside lighter elements of cedar and birch barks. David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Mac barks at Andi as the two of them drive home. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 May 2026 Much like a dog that barks at every little noise and passerby, my skin is reactive. Devon Abelman, Allure, 24 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, the same neighbor’s dog barks at all hours, day and night, and a large shoe rack sits outside her door — an eyesore and a fire code violation. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 The scolding was met with more meows and barks. Clara McMichael, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 The pup barks excitedly before the door swings open and Koch drops to her knees to receive kisses and greetings. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2026 Sadie excitedly barks before the door opens and Koch drops to her knees to receive kisses and greetings from the pup. Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barks
Noun
  • Under the proposal which Iran and Oman have been negotiating for several days, ships entering the strait would use the route closest to Iran, under Tehran's coordination, sources said.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For orbital cargo delivery, these early decisions may include where to put launch and landing sites, how to load and unload the orbital payloads to trucks or ships, and how many rockets to build.
    Euihyeon Choi, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Nordic noir suggests the presence of violence and hatred beneath the tranquillity and order of the Scandinavian welfare state, just as Southern noir peels back hospitality and charm to reveal repressed family secrets and moral decay.
    Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Paint peels away from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2026.
    Kevin Breuninger,Terri Cullen, CNBC, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • That video shows three boys scrubbing the floor and walls of a room in the school with rags as Morrison shouts commands and admonishments.
    Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026
  • In the background, an adult voice shouts at the bear, helping to scare the animal off.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Newell's tenure at Oceanco expands its collaborative ecosystem, with these innovative yachts set for the Monaco Yacht Show.
    Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Over 160 sailing yachts are expected to participate in the five-day event, many of which have never competed before.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Boos against opponents and bad referees and yells at your side to do better was the Spirit moving you to testify.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder yells a lot of things from the dugout during a game, usually aimed at his own players.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • With integrated air and missile defense, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and long-range strike options, the GMF 140 is positioned as one of the most capable frigates in its size class.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Japan recently made major deals, including the joint development and transfer of 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates to Australia.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Day to day, as the city grows, there’s also the question of traffic, which snarls the city as public transit initiatives have repeatedly struggled.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Security snarls The TSA PreCheck line at terminal B in LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, on March 27, 2026.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Guests can jump into the sea directly from the back of the ship or enjoy the ship’s compliment of stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, sailboats, foam floats, and water trampoline.
    Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The premium is well worth it for sunset views of the water and a front-row seat to the ferries, fishers, and sailboats passing through.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Barks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barks. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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