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
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Recent Examples of beef
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including raw beef left unattended and food stored on the floor.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
The reason that Natalie and Kim are beefing is because Kim doesn’t like that Marcus and Natalie are becoming friends.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beef
Noun
States where groceries bust your budget Most Americans are feeling the pain of rising grocery prices, as everyday staples like beef, coffee, and fresh fruits and vegetables cost more.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including raw beef left unattended and food stored on the floor.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
Injuries would be a concern, but this is a beefing-up-the-squad signing.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
The reason that Natalie and Kim are beefing is because Kim doesn’t like that Marcus and Natalie are becoming friends.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beef
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beef
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That structure can support the kind of consistent protein intake experts recommend for maintaining muscle and energy during perimenopause and menopause, especially when meals are selected in the roughly 25- to 35-gram protein range.—
Rita Templeton,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
-
His muscles waste, his mind dulls, his body collapses inward until only a voice remains, thin and disembodied.—
Gilberto Lopes,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second-largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Other conservatives have also complained about Bad Bunny performing in Spanish.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That was despite Kaley’s mother’s attempts to use third-party software to block access to the platforms, according to her complaint.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In 2021, the phone call from Rhoades at the insurance department described 50-plus complaints.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Until crude vulgarians like Miller came along, no prominent American political figure would claim on our behalf a right to use our power for purely selfish ends, at the expense of other democratic states and foreign peoples.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Calling out corporate entities and concentration of power as enemies also appears to be a winning strategy for Democrats in their messaging tactics.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The work that doesn’t scream the loudest internally but decides who wins externally.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Vonn was heard screaming in pain while lying in the snow before she was airlifted off the course.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
You may be asked to attend a resolution meeting to discuss the grievance.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Yemen has been mired for more than a decade in a civil war that involves a complex interplay of sectarian and tribal grievances and the involvement of regional powers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Then, without much fuss, group two starts to prepare for their talent show.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
-
What’s behind all the fuss, of almost 180k glowing reviews on Amazon?—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
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 Feb. 2026.
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