as in shouting
to speak sharply or irritably
the new supervisor found that speaking to people with a civil tongue got better results than barking at them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barking
Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
But investigators eventually cracked the passcode on Paul Murdaugh’s phone and found a video with a barking dog and Alex Murdaugh’s voice admonishing it five minutes before the young man stopped using his phone.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
In the middle of the night, grenades are going off, people are getting shot, people are screaming, dogs are barking, the whole thing.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Fans were booing and barking as Breakker slowed the pace down with methodical suplexes.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.
—Ellen Bass, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
From the ungodly stuff leading to success, to setting a postseason record for appearances, to barking like a dog to fire up teammates, Varland is settling in.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Varland endeared himself to the fanbase with his electric stuff and habit of barking at teammates, cameras and anyone in sight.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Chonkers showed up in early March at San Francisco’s Pier 39, where floating docks of barking sea lions regularly draw admiring crowds.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
In the book, Turrubiate-Simpson questioned why the dogs weren't barking near the kennel right before the murders are thought to have taken place.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
But investigators eventually cracked the passcode on Paul Murdaugh’s phone and found a video with a barking dog and Alex Murdaugh’s voice admonishing it five minutes before the young man stopped using his phone.
—Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
In the middle of the night, grenades are going off, people are getting shot, people are screaming, dogs are barking, the whole thing.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Fans were booing and barking as Breakker slowed the pace down with methodical suplexes.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.
—Ellen Bass, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
From the ungodly stuff leading to success, to setting a postseason record for appearances, to barking like a dog to fire up teammates, Varland is settling in.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Varland endeared himself to the fanbase with his electric stuff and habit of barking at teammates, cameras and anyone in sight.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Chonkers showed up in early March at San Francisco’s Pier 39, where floating docks of barking sea lions regularly draw admiring crowds.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barking
Verb
-
Allow to cool before peeling and cutting into 5mm-thick slices.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
16 May 2026
-
Sepsis had left his skin peeling and his body blackened, including parts of his fingers, ears, lips and lower legs.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Which is why they are now broken up, and everyone is shouting that Amanda is the worst friend since Brutus, and everyone is asking Kyle about his skin-care regimen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
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Last week, the former Duke of York was reportedly out walking the Queen's corgis near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on May 6 when a masked man wearing a balaclava, or ski mask, jumped out of his parked car and started shouting at Andrew.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The tension of that spot kick, in front of thousands of snarling Rangers fans, or the prospect of lining up for his country at a largely-home-soil World Cup in a few weeks’ time.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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Gas prices are a big driver Gasoline prices have jumped sharply since the war began, snarling tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for energy shipments.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Denise ascended the stairs, yelling at Djena all the way up, then grabbed Djena by the collar and began hitting her.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Minutes later, another caller reported hearing people yelling for help from the burning vehicle.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Her father and cousin had come looking for her, and were screaming outside.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong let a rival fan have it during a heated, NSFW screaming match on Sunday, playing the White Sox.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Or any of the Republican gym bros peddling supplements online and growling lifestyle advice into webcams.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
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At that point, your stomach has probably been growling for a good hour, so answer that call with some tacos at Taqueria Rosita.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barking. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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