bark 1 of 3

verb (1)

Definition of barknext
as in to peel
to remove the natural covering of barking a tree will probably kill it

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bark

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbärk How to pronounce bark (audio)
as in to snarl
to speak sharply or irritably the new supervisor found that speaking to people with a civil tongue got better results than barking at them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bark

3 of 3

noun

as in ship
a boat equipped with one or more sails took a small bark out on the lake

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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 bark
Verb
Interrupted by power outages, a relentlessly barking dog and the unexpected arrival of a celebrated composer, the conversation steadily unravels. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Dart was barking at the offensive players to get up on the line of scrimmage. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
These petite frogs only measure about two-inches long, and have bumpy green or gray skin that can look like tree bark. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026 This could range from damage to the bark, small holes, excessive spores, or fungi on the trunk or limbs. — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bark
  1. snarl
  2. ship
  3. shout
  4. schooner
  5. yell
  6. frigate
  7. scream
  8. sloop
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the tech industry's multitrillion-dollar spending spree on data centers and AI infrastructure has snarled supply chains.
    — Matt Peterson,Kate Rooney, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The 5 Freeway was initially closed in both directions around the fire, snarling rush hour traffic.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of snarl
Noun
  • And the dangers faced by vessels attempting to navigate the crucial waterway was underlined Thursday night when the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said two of its ships had been attacked in the strait.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • All other ships added to the class will also use steam systems under the president’s directive.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ship
Verb
  • In a building where people survived by shouting over each other, the biggest man was the quietest.
    — Jeff Rabhan, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Styles’s fourth album revels in all those hours spent shouting euphoria into the ears of friends on dance floors and riding the bassy, body-vibrating techno loops until well after the sun comes up.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • The sailing yacht is a replica of the legendary 20th-century schooner Elena.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Today, the 128-foot wooden schooner rests upright in about 60 feet of water.
    — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of schooner
Verb
  • Myles Straw, running out to left as Varland jogged in from the bullpen, began yelling at his closer and throwing his arm in the air.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In April, Bloomberg reported on troubles at Cooper’s company, spurred in part by juggling too many business ventures, including executive turnover, shows that failed to become major hits and staff issues with Kaplan, who often yelled at employees.
    — Ashley Carman, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of yell
Noun
  • China may be preparing a more heavily armed version of its Type 054B frigate, potentially giving the warship 50 percent more missile launch capacity than the first ships in the class.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Zelenskyy, who did not mention grain terminals, said Russia's Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels were struck in the attack.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of frigate
Verb
  • As All In Build Continues Part of the explanation is that the inflation side of the mandate has been screaming louder.
    — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • Just two days after the Hannah was underway, her crew captured the Unity, a sloop loaded with naval stores and lumber, supplies sorely needed by British forces in Boston.
    — Christopher Magra, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
  • Palm Beach Motor Yachts has taken its supermaxi sloop to new heights—quite literally.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of sloop

Browse Nearby Words

baring
bark
barked
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Cite this Entry

“Bark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bark. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bark

Nglish: Translation of bark for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bark

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