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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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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 dairy farmer agreed with a comment from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins encouraging Americans to seek out other forms of protein, including turkey, amid a rise in the cost of beef. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026 Raw beef, pork and goat meat sold in California has been targeted in a national recall after not being properly inspected, federal officials said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
Hours after the final bout, he’s scheduled to jet off to the G7 summit in the French Alps for talks with several world leaders he’s been beefing with over war and tariffs. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 12 June 2026 Injuries would be a concern, but this is a beefing-up-the-squad signing. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 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
  • The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • When a sensor detected movement in a rat’s front paw, another device was automatically activated to stimulate a hind-leg muscle, producing a contraction that mimicked part of the animal’s natural walking motion.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Tripe, raw chicken and live muscles were held below proper hot holding temperature.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of muscle
Verb
  • Toward the end of first grade, Najya started complaining about lunchtime chaos in the cafeteria.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Patients, their families and lawyers have complained that Kaiser’s private and confidential system of handling medical malpractice complaints is designed to favor the health plan over those bringing the claims.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • The final result was visually awkward and earned so many complaints on social media that McLendon-Covey even weighed in at the time.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The initial complaint, filed in May 2025, also included false imprisonment and conversion as causes of action, which are not included in the latest complaint.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • This time, the TPLF appears to have mobilized widely, bringing together former foes in its stated goal of removing Abiy from power in Addis Ababa, the federal capital.
    — SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Traditional wireless systems present challenges for very small implants because their antennas and power requirements can increase device size.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • This exchange turns into Luann fully spiraling out, screaming about Porsha being two hours late to anybody who would listen.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In the locker room hallway, through the swinging doors behind The Swamp’s press room, voices screamed in.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • Kaepernick said that amid his collusion grievance, the NFL approached him and teammate Eric Reid, who knelt with him, about becoming faces of a new social justice campaign.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But McIlrath’s actions were ultimately a secondary grievance.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • For all the fuss the Edmonton Oilers have generated this offseason, the club will enter the 2026-27 season with a largely unchanged roster.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The Amalfi Coast has become something of a cliché, but this reminds you what all the fuss was about in the first place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuss

Phrases Containing beef

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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 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beef

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beef

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