BREED Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

breed 1 of 2

noun

Definition of breed

as in type

a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common some people say that honest politicians are a rare breed

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Relevance

breed

2 of 2

verb

ˈbrēd

as in to reproduce

to bring forth offspring rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated

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as in to raise

to bring to maturity through care and education he was bred to a life in the military by his father, himself an army captain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cause

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) this habit of favoring one employee over the others will breed resentment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to sleep

to engage in sexual intercourse cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night

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as in to plant

to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set parents who breed in their children a deep respect for people of all classes

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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 breed

Noun

There is no universally safe temperature for a walk, since risk depends on breed, age, health and temperament. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026 Because every dog is unique, exact pricing depends on your pup's size, age, breed and overall caloric needs. — Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Verb

Fireflies use their flashing lights to communicate and breed, a process that ramps up in June and July. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026 Athletes are breeding a lot of anxiety and social consciousness around comparison, but also from people going at them online — the trolls and the gamblers. — Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for breed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breed

Noun

Besides Miami, the trial — which Nelson describes as the first of its kind in the nation — will also be conducted at several other academic health centers in the country, as well as in Israel.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
While the rest of the fashion industry has yet to stage a meaningful recovery, couture is thriving, supported by high-net-worth clients whose appetite for exclusivity and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship remains strong.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Definition of kind

Verb

Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The Digital Realty proposal is the first project vying to get an exemption from Atlanta’s ban, raising questions about balancing urban land use and digital infrastructure.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

The powerful winds are capable of causing catastrophic damage to structures while downing trees and power lines, and producing prolonged power outages.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
In May, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda declared outbreaks after lab tests detected the spread of Bundibugyo virus, which causes a type of Ebola disease.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of cause

Verb

Certain antidepressants may also be prescribed to help manage cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hallucinations.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
The findings reinforce the fact that even something that seems as harmless as sleeping for six hours a night instead of seven—roughly what the participants in this study did—has negative effects on the body.

— Veronique Greenwood, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of sleep

Verb

But after discovering that Cady and Nevaeh had been using a drug on Zack to brainwash him, Anna opts to fight fire with fire by planting drugs in Cady’s house and placing an anonymous call to CrimeStoppers.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026
In other words, romance novels plant the hope, and romance bookstores give readers somewhere to act on it by lingering, browsing, joining a book club or striking up a conversation.

— Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Definition of plant

Noun

Reddick loads her genre-blurring tale with outlandish intrigue involving Soviet spies, a capitalist cult and a roving choir that doubles as a Greek chorus.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
In The Beauty, Ryan Murphy and co-creator Matthew Hodgson have concocted a genre-hopping oddity that sounds unlikely to work.

— Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of genre

Verb

Here’s how to propagate a blueberry bush for even more juicy berries, according to the experts.

— Heather Bien, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
The free and open internet faces threats from companies propagating walled gardens designed to control your data and the rise of black-box AI systems.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 July 2026