as in grinding
to reduce to fine particles
bray the seeds using a mortar and pestle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of braying
The cool, quiet spring air is punctuated only by Kasbah’s small pack of mules braying nearby, and the tinkling of the riad’s fountain.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
As the insignias are cut off his uniform and his sword broken, Dreyfus (played by Louis Garrel) loudly declares his innocence, both to his brothers-in-arms and to the braying public outside the gates.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
As the insignias are cut off his uniform and his sword broken, Dreyfus (played by Louis Garrel) loudly declares his innocence, both to his brothers-in-arms and to the braying public outside the gates.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for braying
Verb
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And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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After more than a decade grinding in the pop machine, something about Zara Larsson finally clicked this summer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills got back on track Sunday by pounding the Carolina Panthers 40-9 and ending a two-game losing streak.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
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The storm is already pounding Jamaica, and NHC meteorologists urge residents to shelter in place.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even with that crushing blow, the totality of Hoffman’s postseason was excellent.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Higher taxes crushing working families.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The foetal beat of air beats all around Helm like a beating heart (must elegantly variate).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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In March 2019, a week before the letter was published, the Axeman attacked the Cortimiglia family, beating grocery owner Charlie and his wife Rosie with an axe.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Braying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braying. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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