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
Beyond the deployment of excavators, a CCTV video report showed a search dog barking to alert a rescuer about signs of life. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 The dog searches, finds the person, barks, and receives the toy as his reward. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026
Noun
Keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup on the bark. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026 Remove turf from under the tree’s canopy and apply a layer of organic mulch such as bark chips or shredded wood, extending to the drip line. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 July 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
  • The coronavirus pandemic snarled supply chains and raised labor and transportation costs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • While that shutdown ostensibly ended in mid-November, a partial government shutdown dragged on through April, snarling the Department of Homeland Security and causing long delays and confusion at airports across the country.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 23 July 2026
Definition of snarl
Noun
  • All five ships crossed through an Iranian route, the Kpler data showed.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • First is to prevent their further migration by enforcing an international treaty obliging national authorities to treat ballast waters inside incoming ships that may carry such species.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of ship
Verb
  • The staff member leading the group says the man cussed at them, shouted derogatory names and continued to reference guns.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The Storm put out an apology after a team co-owner allegedly shouted insults at the girls during the game.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • From there, walk toward Salem Maritime National Historical Park and Derby Wharf before getting back onto the water for a harbor cruise or schooner sail.
    — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
  • One fishing vessel on view recalls the grisly story of Howard Blackburn, a Gloucester fisherman who went out as part of a big schooner to the Grand Banks.
    — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of schooner
Verb
  • As Hwang and her partner placed the ticket on the car’s windshield and were returning to their vehicle, the vehicle’s owner approached, yelling expletives and ripping the citation to pieces.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Witnesses said the men tried siccing a German shepherd on CBS News Chicago's photojournalist while yelling racial slurs, but the dog did not obey the command.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of yell
Noun
  • According to the officials, Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar was dispatched to the area where contact with the aircraft was lost.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Germany has decided to acquire eight MEKO A-200 warships from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), in place of six vessels under the F126 frigate program.
    — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
Definition of frigate
Verb
  • Contrary to his radio silence at today’s hearings, one thing that screams with clarity is Fauci’s diary.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • The Jets offseason didn’t scream planning for the future after bringing in Demario Davis (37), Geno Smith (35), David Onyemata (33), Tim Patrick (32) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (29).
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 July 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 2 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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