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
  • People use it to make industrial tools such as drill bits and grinding wheels for heavy machinery.
    — Robin Macaluso, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Russia’s war on Ukraine has become a grinding tally of raw numbers, and Kyiv is executing its strategy with the ruthlessness of a corporate efficiency expert, according to the RAND think tank.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • The real money to be made from the president’s online bleats isn’t in knowing what the US government is going to do.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Is that noise coming from Jack Tobias’ synth, Rosenstock’s guitar pedals, or Zack Borzone’s bleat?
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
Definition of bleat
Verb
  • Eddie Williams was taking a merciless pounding against her planking as the sodden wreck heaved and rolled.
    — JAMES D. OXLEY, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Kelce spent the offseason pounding beers in VIP suites on the Eras Tour, married Taylor Swift in July, and expanded his media empire.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 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
  • Despite being only eight-tenths of a mile from the bomb's epicenter, Kakita was crushed but protected by the bathhouse.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • New data from Ladders challenges the belief that six-figure salaries demand crushing stress.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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
  • Chad Gable won his first singles title in WWE after beating Penta for the WWE Intercontinental Championship in an emotional match.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Evander scored a go-ahead goal from distance in the 82nd minute and Cincinnati beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 on Saturday night in a game delayed over two hours due to weather.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of beat
Noun
  • For aviation geeks or those who simply want to keep track of their plane’s unique flying data and route, squawk codes can be tracked on apps and websites like Flightradar24 and Flight Beacon.
    — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
  • 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
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 9 Aug. 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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