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
The team behind Saul’s Beef, a pop-up that served Italian beef sandwiches until its hiatus last fall, is making a comeback and taking over Morty’s, Newton announced in a social media post. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 The business also sells its beef, pastrami and cheesecake online, through FreshDirect and at select grocery stores. — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 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
  • Grip strength, for example, is predictive of many different things, but it can be affected by arthritis, stroke or even simply not conditioning those muscles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Courtesy of Fleet Feet Like any muscle, a healthy heart suffers damage and repairs itself each time it is stressed.
    — Matt Moret, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscle
Verb
  • Videos on social media published last week showed empty markets in Tehran and Karaj, with sellers complaining that their fresh produce is not being bought.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Others complained about the traffic jams and parking restrictions in the runup to the event.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Fourteen people were on board, including him — exceeding the vessel’s maximum capacity of 10 people — according to the complaint, which noted that Hernandez did not know the boat’s maximum capacity.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • The park still doesn’t have power, internet or phone lines after Lala swept by last week, and many of its employees are still recovering from the storm.
    — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The events have all had a Trumpian flair, featuring appearances from his friends and the aim of showcasing spectacle, Americana and power.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • She was awakened in the middle of the night by her barking dog and the sound of a woman screaming in the street.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Audio from her cousin's phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service captured 15-year-old Layan describing the chaotic scene around her, amid the sound of gunfire and screaming, before the call dropped.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • During his lifetime, no book of Twain’s sold as well as quickly, fueling his chronic grievances with publishers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Also, even internally detention facility operators are not required to track data on how many grievance complaints are deemed to be founded, how the issue was resolved, or if it was challenged, whether the initial rejection was overturned.
    — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • His parents did not want to cause a fuss and give this bully power over their son by calling him out.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • This marks the first time since 2022 that Barca could spend significantly and register players without fuss.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beef

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beef

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