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

Their signature cattle, the Linz Heritage Angus (LHA) Herd, has its breed stock at Blue Branch Ranch in Oklahoma and is known for producing top-quality beef that can be traced back to its herd origins. — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 July 2026 The casing is scaled to sit comfortably on everything from compact terriers to massive working breeds – a critical bit of design, given how easily a determined wanderer of any size can slip out of sight. — New Atlas, 26 July 2026

Verb

Calling addiction a disease that breeds in isolation, Beshear worried people would stop seeking treatment for fear of contracting COVID-19. — Alex Acquisto, ProPublica, 30 July 2026 There is no set temperature at which one forms, Giannaros said; what is needed is the kind of atmosphere that breeds dry thunderstorms — very hot, very dry air near the ground, with cooler and moister air above it. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for breed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breed

Noun

The kind who drive across town for the right crust and aren't afraid to wait for it.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Berto Industria Tessile, which specializes in premium denim for fashion, accessories and furniture and has a bespoke arm for one-of-a-kind fabrics, has played a key role in adapting the fiber for use in denim.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 July 2026

Definition of kind

Verb

King’s claim said the arrest also reactivated post-traumatic stress disorder from her deployments to Iraq, prompting difficulty sleeping and eating.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
When a busy thread frequently goes to sleep for short periods, the current AMD driver can misinterpret that behavior as a signal to lower its average performance target.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

Definition of sleep

Verb

Aquifer levels have continued to drop as corporate farms and investors have planted vast almond and pistachio orchards.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Trees take years to reach full canopy, which is why the best time to plant was a decade ago and the second best time is this season.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of plant

Noun

Now there are two folk album categories — traditional and contemporary — which the alliance sought in part to better recognize the diversity within the genre.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Tunes across genres rotate on the vinyl record player, from uninterrupted plays of '90s R&B icons to contemporary house beats.

— USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026