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
  • Atlanta ground back both Mixed matches, but the youthful Slice dominated the DreamBreaker 21-13 to put a damper on Atlanta’s recent run.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • After hostilities began, Iran declared the waterway closed and launched missiles and drones at vessels trying to sail through, grinding traffic to a halt.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 27 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
  • Rainwater rushed into Filament Theatre in the Portage Park neighborhood on Monday as severe storms pounded the Chicago area.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The Jordan and James camps will continue to pound away at each other from their baselines, back and forth, making the rest of us who are undecided feel like chair umpires at a tennis match, head on a swivel.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 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
  • Bauers then crushed a three-run homer to right, the ball leaving his bat at 110 mph and traveling 424 feet, for a 6-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The death toll rose to 57 on Friday on the Spanish side of the border, Reuters reported, including some who drowned and others who were crushed while trying to climb the breakwater that holds the border fence.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 31 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
  • Add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat on low speed until just combined.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 26 July 2026
  • Some may point to the fact that the man who beat Pogacar in 2022 and 2023, Danish racer Jonas Vingegaard, broke his collarbone in a crash in stage 15, which helped clear the way for the Slovenian to be first in Paris this year.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 26 July 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 2 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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