1
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
had to deal with an angry customer with a beef about our service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in muscle
muscular strength
a heavyweight wrestler with a good deal of beef
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he tends to stand around and beef for hours about any slight, real or imagined
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 beef
Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
This concoction of shredded beef in tomato sauce is believed by some to be a precursor to the American Sloppy Joe.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025
Some needed backstory: Bhad Bhabie and Barker first started beefing in December after Bhabie accused Barker of trying to steal her then-boyfriend and the father of her child, Le Vaughn.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beef
Noun
An aggressive Canadian goose has beef with an Ohio business.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
This concoction of shredded beef in tomato sauce is believed by some to be a precursor to the American Sloppy Joe.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Musk reacted to a post on X advertising that the fast-food restaurant was switching from using vegetable oil to beef tallow for its chips.
—Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025
Some needed backstory: Bhad Bhabie and Barker first started beefing in December after Bhabie accused Barker of trying to steal her then-boyfriend and the father of her child, Le Vaughn.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beef
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beef
Noun
-
The motor produces a whine that is noticeable but not distracting.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Israel Hernandez heard the faint whine of sirens outside his Wilmington apartment and looked up just in time to see a minivan crash into another vehicle as police gave chase.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS causes loss of muscle control and there is currently no cure for this disease.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Eating cottage cheese before bed helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which can help support a healthy metabolism.—
Veronica Cristino,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pundits complained last year’s Cannes was a light affair, but that had to do with the bottleneck created by the strikes, for one.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
While speaking at a dinner hosted by the National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday, Trump complained over how the U.S. doesn’t manufacturer its own pharmaceuticals stating that tariffs on these products would be forthcoming.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Historian Heather Cox Richardson, in her regular post for March 30, notes a similar procession of this complaint.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The complaint is based on the Intertek and SGS testing results provided in September.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Trump has already tested the bounds of the Constitution governing presidential power several times in the first months of his second term.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
These tantrums may involve kicking, screaming, and stomping.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Hernández screams again while wearing a shiny blue jumpsuit similar to one Benson Boone donned for the Grammys.—
Andy Hoglund,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Walmart has issued a public response to a growing nationwide boycott that began Monday, as some Americans pledge to avoid the retail giant for a week in protest over a range of economic and political grievances.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
-
For all of the setbacks to trade liberalization, and the grievances expressed in Mr. Trump’s actions, the barriers have kept falling.—
Mark Landler,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The actress kept the rest of her look fairly minimalist, opting for a sleek, modern style without fuss.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 Apr. 2025
-
So is Aaron Judge, who couldn’t believe all the fuss that was being made over the Yankees’ new wood.—
Gary Phillips,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2025
Video
Words of the Year: 1066
English was never the same after the Norman Conquest
Cite this Entry
“Beef.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beef. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share