BELLOW Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

bellow 1 of 2

verb

ˈbe-(ˌ)lō

Definition of bellow

as in to roar

to make a long loud deep noise or cry the cow bellowed for her calf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shout

to speak so as to be heard at a distance a drill instructor bellowing orders at new recruits during basic training

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bellow

2 of 2

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 bellow

Verb

And in response, the crowd bellowed out, daring to be the loudest crowd of the day. — Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Sep. 2026 Kio takes in his new surroundings confidently, strutting through the grasses near his den while working on his roar, that is, until a bellowing elephant sends him racing closer to Mom. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

With a bellow the sow came down on all fours and started the final charge. — Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 The result is a ragged primal scream of a film — not a cry for help, but rather, a bellow of maternal rage. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bellow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellow

Verb

David Pastrnak scored a tying power-play goal and Frederic Brunet got his first NHL goal for the Bruins, who roared back from an early two-goal deficit and improved to 6-2-0.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Marsh knew it, putting his hands on his helmet as the crowd roared and the stadium fireworks went off.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of roar

Verb

Lil’ Randy shouts repeatedly as he is hauled off, a great ending to a pretty great episode.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
The drunk-and-disorderly charge is linked to a December incident, in which Minton is accused of shouting and cursing at patrons of a tattoo studio in Hickory, court records show.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of shout

Noun

Receiver pressed to one cheek, Molly listens to the bleat at the line’s other end, in the Peace Action apartment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
On the southern end of the loop, check out the interactive Bison Center to feel hides, hear the creatures’ varied grunts and bleats, and learn about the park’s efforts to sustainably maintain the herd.

— Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of bleat

Verb

This past spring, the singer-guitarist announced that hernia repair surgery left him with a six-and-a-half–inch scar and doctors’ orders never to growl again.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
Dogs and cats may be triggered by this distinctive smell and show unusual behavior when skunks are nearby, such as sniffing or pawing the dirt around the burrow or becoming more protective by growling or hovering near the entrance.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of growl

Verb

During one middle school mariachi practice, an instructor encourages a girl to come out of her shell and yell excitedly.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The HomeView can also share intercom-style broadcasts to any other room equipped with smart speakers, sparing you the need to yell up the stairs when dinner is ready.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of yell

Noun

The second slide was a video (without sound) of the couple’s first kiss, which King prefaced with what looked like a howl of joy, followed by a series of passionate kisses and an arms-in-the-air yelp from the groom.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
With every whimper, sigh, howl, bark and head tilt, these dogs create an empathetic portrayal of a highly intelligent creature that has been through battle and has the scars (and nightmares) to prove it.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of howl

Verb

In June 2016, Blair, who was returning to Los Angeles from a vacation in Cancun, Mexico, began screaming uncontrollably and causing chaos on the flight.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Back in California, Dodgers fans screamed at their television sets.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scream

Verb

Among them were a parent at her daughter’s school who recognized her on account of her voice alone and a dad on an airplane whose baby had been crying non-stop for over an hour.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Another girl cried non-stop—possibly from fear and nervousness rather than sorrow.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of cry

Browse Nearby Words

belling

bellow

bellowed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bellow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellow. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bellow

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes