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
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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
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Recent Examples of beef
Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
Make sure to get a good sear on the beef tips in the skillet, and don't skimp on the sour cream.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Democrats and Republicans can't agree on spending measures that would pay federal workers and save safety-net programs from running out of money — while GOP lawmakers are beefing over beef imports.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beef
Noun
Their love affair was short lived, however, and the two engaged in a huge beef that resulted in Nicki releasing Big Foot which poked fun about Megan’s size and the fellow rapper’s shooting injury.
—Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026
Make sure to get a good sear on the beef tips in the skillet, and don't skimp on the sour cream.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
The reason that Natalie and Kim are beefing is because Kim doesn’t like that Marcus and Natalie are becoming friends.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Democrats and Republicans can't agree on spending measures that would pay federal workers and save safety-net programs from running out of money — while GOP lawmakers are beefing over beef imports.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beef
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beef
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There are muscles behind your skin and face, and my mother did it her whole life.—
E. Alex Jung,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
With osteomalacia and rickets, a person may experience throbbing bone discomfort and muscle weakness and pain.—
Mark Stibich,
Verywell Health,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cumming said the city's information technology department also abruptly cut off part of her office administrator's access, including the ability to see who else in city government may be looking at whistleblower complaints and documents related to ethics investigations.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Schlegel is expected to be charged via federal criminal complaint with assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with Tuesday's shooting, Janke said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The experience also reinforced Madsen’s belief in the power of social media.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Mophie's power bank has the functionality of a wireless MagSafe connection, with the convenience of a stand.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bill Belichick’s resume screams one-way ticket to Canton, Ohio, but when he wasn’t voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many were left flabbergasted on Tuesday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In nearly every instance, the government has blamed foreign conspiracies instead of acknowledging legitimate grievances over the country’s economic collapse, political repression, corruption, social suppression, and international isolation.—
Omid Memarian,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Her team filed a grievance, and at the same time, European clubs were ready to pay her what the NWSL said was impossible.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Not to mention, this bouncy style can take you from day to night without any fuss.—
Krista Carter,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes, and their fans, will get to see firsthand what all the fuss is about.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Beef.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beef. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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