as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
houses in the town commonly have second stories that beetle over the ground floors, and the overhang is known as a "bump"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 beetle
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
The reason is that beetle infestations within storage areas cause the agricultural products to become inedible.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
The invasive beetle bores into wood and kills ash trees by eating tissues under the bark.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beetle
Verb
Jonathan Carver, suggest the name may also refer to beetle larvae emerging from thawing tree bark.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
The reason is that beetle infestations within storage areas cause the agricultural products to become inedible.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
From the metallic sheen of a beetle to the delicacy of a butterfly, Sandini described how Materia Futura plucks inspiration straight from nature.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
The invasive beetle bores into wood and kills ash trees by eating tissues under the bark.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beetle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beetle
Verb
-
Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
City officials in Reedley first raised concerns in December 2022 after a code enforcement officer noticed a green garden hose protruding from the warehouse.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Caught on the Wellses’ outdoor security camera, footage recorded King stepping onto the Wellses’ property, wielding a hammer and smashing a side mirror of Chris Wells’ blue truck.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But the Legislature is also considering two bills that strike hammer blows at protections for young teens.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Social media users have also been poking fun at how popular the jackets are among the Asian diaspora.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Start by checking the soil’s moisture by poking a finger 2 inches into the top of the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To achieve this, place the breasts, one at a time, in a resealable plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment, and gently pound them with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or potato masher until evenly flattened.—
John Becker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Clapperless cowbells can come with a wooden mallet and are used as musical instruments.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The kids froze mid-mouthful, eyes bulging in horror at the thought of having to witness such a thing in the company of their parents.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The surrounding metropolitan area has similarly bulged.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Here, a neutral palette, cane furniture, and botanical textiles lend the accommodation a cozy, comfortable feel.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Fall-fruiting raspberries fruit on canes that grew in the current season (primocanes), whereas summer-bearing raspberries only develop fruit on second-year canes (floricanes).—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The jury was also unable to reach a verdict for charges faced by Corner, who was accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for hitting a police sergeant with a sledgehammer.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The commercial features a future-like world, where a woman with a sledgehammer comes and destroys an IBM screen.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Down four points with 70 seconds to play, and facing fourth-and-1 on Jacksonville’s 11-yard line, Buffalo called for a Josh Allen quarterback sneak, the claw-and-maul play commonly known as the tush push.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The half ended with the Free Jacks once again putting the Sabercats under pressure, trying to force their way over the tryline through a rolling maul, and twice failing to score.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beetle. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
