as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
as far as the slumlord was concerned, the unhappy tenants were just bleating about nothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to whimper
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the baby bleated softly as he woke up, then smiled
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bleat
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2024
Use calls, such as bleats, grunts, snort-wheezes, grunt-snort-wheezes, and more.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 24 Oct. 2024
David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
Bao Li, a playful boy who bleats in excitement, climbed dangerously high up a tree.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleat
Noun
Nor is there evidence, much as Trump’s supporters bleat otherwise, that Biden or DOJ influenced the Georgia racketeering charges or the Manhattan case, which was under investigation before either the president or District Attorney Alvin Bragg were elected.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2024
Use calls, such as bleats, grunts, snort-wheezes, grunt-snort-wheezes, and more.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
But one of the show’s most viral clips is much more representative: The veteran SNL writer Jim Downey pretends to have never heard about Jeffrey Epstein’s misdeeds, to O’Brien’s bleating objections.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
Bao Li, a playful boy who bleats in excitement, climbed dangerously high up a tree.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleat
Noun
-
Pretty soon, the whine of the gears, the shriek of the diff, and the sheer cacophony of combustion make conversation all but impossible.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
-
Men clad in DayGlo vests and hardhats chatted as the whine of a flying cargo drone echoed through the valley.—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
His team-mates celebrated; the Boca players complained furiously, surrounding the referee and pointing at Marchesin.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Many have complained that American alternatives for some foreign imports may be unavailable or are too expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Ezra gets the ball in his hands and, after looking back at his mom while JJ whimpers excitedly, tosses the orange ball back to the dog.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The mumbling girl is ill and must be taken to hospital, where her mother whimpers prayers over her.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Suffice to say, the 2025 Cannes market will be filled with even more groans on moans than years past.—
Elsa Ramo,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
There's a push, and suddenly, a newborn's first cry replaces the mother's moans.—
Laura Gómez,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Pacers' star went down and immediately screamed in pain.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
With screaming, crying, and crash outs abound, Madix’s high pony mirrored her demeanor: commanding, polished, and captivating.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
23 June 2025
-
When the curtain is lifted, Matthew is crying, and Andreas is beaming.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Officers responded to a burglary complaint about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, when employees at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department told cops someone was stuck in the chimney of a building in Rockwell Park, Bristol Police Lt. Desmond Wilson said.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
-
The Biden administration warned that would lead to a huge backlog of complaints and strain the government’s resources, should thousands of borrowers now have to present their cases in court, and would harm borrowers by forcing them to default on their loans in order to possibly get relief.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
-
Grandpa got up from his armchair and shuffled into the kitchen, muttering about needing a drink.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleat. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share