beef 1 of 2

noun

ˈbēf How to pronounce beef (audio)
Definition of beefnext
1
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment had to deal with an angry customer with a beef about our service

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2
as in muscle
muscular strength a heavyweight wrestler with a good deal of beef

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

beef

2 of 2

verb

as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely he tends to stand around and beef for hours about any slight, real or imagined

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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 beef
Noun
In South Korea, the Costco food courts offer a beef bulgogi-topped combo pizza. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026 Whole fish are dispatched using ikejime and dry-aged in-house like beef. — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
Injuries would be a concern, but this is a beefing-up-the-squad signing. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 May 2026 Country star Kacey Musgraves is currently beefing with a fat internet activist who is mad at her because Walmart doesn't sell any of her newest line of clothing in plus sizes. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for beef
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beef
  1. whine
  2. muscle
  3. complain
  4. complaint
  5. power
  6. scream
  7. grievance
  8. fuss
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • Males typically have a greater proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, improving explosive speed and power.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Their noses and the inside of their ears and their long tongue muscles were delightfully pink, the color of a crayon.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscle
Verb
  • Parents keep complaining to me that their kids are sedentary at school, even though humans need to keep moving throughout the day to be healthy.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • The Star obtained a copy of the warrant and criminal complaint.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The feud has gotten personal and heated recently, but the complaints date back years.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • Xi came to power after the 2008 protests in Tibet and deadly unrest in Xinjiang, another frontier region of modern China where ethnic minorities have long chafed under Beijing’s rule and witnessed a huge security crackdown.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
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
  • Although it’s expected that the Players Association would file a grievance on Bader’s behalf, union chief Bruce Meyer declined comment in the immediate wake of the news, as did Major League Baseball.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • McCoy had no interest in validating Clark's latest grievance tour.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • The idea is to share several different plates, listen to the music — an izakaya’s ambiance is much different than that of an upscale omakase restaurant — and hang out with your friends without a lot of fuss.
    — Connie Ogle July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The figure cited by FT also isn’t far off from what Ferrari expected the Luce to sell before the fuss caused by its debut.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026
Definition of fuss

Phrases Containing beef

Browse Nearby Words

bee's knees
beef
beefcake
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Cite this Entry

“Beef.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beef. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beef

Nglish: Translation of beef for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beef

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