bray 1 of 2

verb

Definition of braynext
as in to grind
to reduce to fine particles bray the seeds using a mortar and pestle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bray

2 of 2

noun

as in bleat

Related Words

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 bray
Verb
The need to placate a braying mob of X posters desperate to see Lemon in chains does not constitute an emergency. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 Shortly after the New Year's ball drops (only once) in New York City, the Zohran Mamdani era will begin in the Big Apple and the political horses will be braying at the gates to start the 2026 midterm election season in earnest. — James Powel, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Timbaland’s eerie, minimalist production — stuttering beat patterns, yawning silences between drum hits, synth riffs that bray and heave — was the ideal vehicle for Elliott’s slaloming, heavily syncopated raps. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026 My father mistakes it for the verb to bray, like a donkey. — Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bray
  1. grind
  2. bleat
  3. pound
  4. screech
  5. crush
  6. moo
  7. beat
  8. squawk
Verb
  • The bones were ground up into bone ash, used as fertilizer, and burned to make bone black, used both as a dye and a filter for cane sugar juice.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 20 July 2026
  • The performers grind and moan as rain pours from above and a wind machine roars.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • Is that noise coming from Jack Tobias’ synth, Rosenstock’s guitar pedals, or Zack Borzone’s bleat?
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
  • Late that afternoon, Flint was sitting quietly against his tree and using a Primos can call to make bleats.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Dec. 2025
Definition of bleat
Verb
  • Ukraine continues to pound Putin's energy assets, taking some Russian oil refining offline.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 23 July 2026
  • But the Thai-style of salad—a combination of sour (som) and pounded ingredients (tam)—can be applied to a wide array of produce.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026
Definition of pound
Noun
  • Equally notable throughout the game was the angry screech, reserved for whenever the Czech Republic players had the ball — or worse — were given a free kick.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Guests range from ordinary commuters to figures like Cate Blanchett and Julian Casablancas, all subject to the same fluorescent lighting and ambient subway screech.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of screech
Verb
  • Software stocks have been crushed on the notion that AI could disrupt.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • Firstenberg orchestrates the delicate character moments and the bone-crushing action with real flair.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of crush
Noun
  • My personal highlights were the tender, lightly caramelized moo ping pork skewers with sticky rice, succulent tomato stracciatella sourdough toast, and copious flawless mango, which melted in my mouth like butter.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Junior Heifers One building was filled with the almost deafening hum of high-power hair dryers and the occasional moo.
    — Chris Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of moo
Verb
  • Never has a team appeared so beatable while so rarely being beaten.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The Royals beat the Padres 6-1 to win the three-game series outright.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2026
Definition of beat
Noun
  • Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
  • He was missed — especially vocally — since Gill’s angelic voice does not, in any way shape or form, resemble Walsh’s charmingly out-of-pitch squawk-talk style.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of squawk

Browse Nearby Words

brawny
bray
brayed
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Cite this Entry

“Bray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bray. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bray

Nglish: Translation of bray for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bray

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