1
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
had to deal with an angry customer with a beef about our service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in muscle
muscular strength
a heavyweight wrestler with a good deal of beef
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 beef
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The menu includes other appetizers from the grill like chorizo, sweetbreads and romanesco and raw bar selections like beef or tuna tartare, octopus carpaccio, hamachi and oysters.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Mar. 2026
Bill Maher and Jimmy Kimmel are beefing.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beef
Noun
From grocery store shelves to restaurant menus, premium beef labels are popping up everywhere — but these labels don't always mean what shoppers think.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The menu includes other appetizers from the grill like chorizo, sweetbreads and romanesco and raw bar selections like beef or tuna tartare, octopus carpaccio, hamachi and oysters.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nader’s character Selene is a Zuma Beach lifeguard constantly beefing with new, grown up Hobie Buchanon, played by Stephen Amell.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Mar. 2026
Bill Maher and Jimmy Kimmel are beefing.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beef
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beef
Noun
-
Both motors stay at or below 45 dBA even at full power, something that will genuinely surprise anyone used to the whine of current-generation motors.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 10,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The whine from that straight-cut gearbox alone is painfully loud, say nothing of the wide-open exhaust on the 4.0 L flat-six.—
Tim Stevens,
ArsTechnica,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The physicality ramped up early in the second period when the B’s fourth line flexed their muscle and cracked Lyon.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The AeroPilates Reformer helps tone muscles, improve flexibility and boost cardio health with customizable intensity for full-body workouts.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Many complained about time-wasting technology platforms.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The suit states that Rivera complained about Baker’s job performance and had requested another partner.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police Chief Jason Bonace is not named as a defendant, but the complaint argues civil service rules were violated to promote him from K-9 officer to police chief.—
Jennifer Borrasso,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Cops have no control over false complaints being filed against him, the lawsuit states.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nineteen even-strength saves, five power-play saves, no muss, no fuss.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Ramoley generates tremendous power from the right side of the plate, as demonstrated by his three-run homer.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are so, so many screaming questions that nobody will ever have answers to.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The reveal is pretty hilarious with everyone screaming and scrambling around like cartoon characters.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And Congress cannot pass any laws that abridge the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Heidner raised and spent the most to finish a distant fourth in what appeared to be largely a vanity campaign to address his personal grievances against Pritzker.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Although there are fancier and allegedly more pet-friendly air fresheners out there, this one is affordable, effective, and fuss-free.—
Kayla Blanton,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Nineteen even-strength saves, five power-play saves, no muss, no fuss.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Video
Words of the Year: 1066
English was never the same after the Norman Conquest
Cite this Entry
“Beef.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beef. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
