1
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
students at the private school were once routinely birched for violating the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
always a stern disciplinarian, our father birched anyone who talked back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of birch
Kerri Westenberg, Star Tribune, 11 Sep. 2020
Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile research has shown that warmer conditions delay leaf fall in oak and beech, whereas other studies find the opposite is true in birch and poplar.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for birch
Verb
Find yellow aspen and birch along the shoreline and red maples inland.
—Kerri Westenberg, Star Tribune, 11 Sep. 2020
Noun
The spa is surrounded by a stream and hemmed by birch trees.
—Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile research has shown that warmer conditions delay leaf fall in oak and beech, whereas other studies find the opposite is true in birch and poplar.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for birch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for birch
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In areas that once boasted generations of oak and hickory trees, beech and maple now make up large portions of the midstory.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
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The easiest way to do this is to assess whether your kitchen cabinets are warm (with red, yellow, or orange undertones), like cherry, oak, hickory, and pine; or cool (with gray undertones), like white oak, ash, maple, or birch cabinetry.—
Monika Biegler Eyers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Laser Module – Add engraving and cutting capabilities for materials from wood and acrylic to leather.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Mirrors have a patina, coffee tables are leathered and trunk-like.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Despite his mediator role, Rodríguez is also known for his explosive temperament, lashing out in Congress and publicly threatening and insulting members of the opposition.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Trump spent most of 2025 downplaying the significance of the files, at times lashing out against Republicans who demanded the release of information about other potential perpetrators.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Made from weather-resistant rattan, this set can stand up to most weather.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Bread baskets and faux bamboo flatware also complement rattan.—
Monika Biegler Eyers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 July 2025
Verb
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There were some frightening moments early Monday for a Miramar man after police say he was pistol whipped during a home invasion and his French bulldog was stolen.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Walpole got on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Without its dynamic starting quarterback, the Cougars were outpaced by visiting Inglewood, which pounded the rock in a 40-16 victory on Friday at Saddleback College.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Birch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/birch. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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