as in complaining
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
Relevance
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 beefing
Hours after the final bout, he’s scheduled to jet off to the G7 summit in the French Alps for talks with several world leaders he’s been beefing with over war and tariffs.
—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Injuries would be a concern, but this is a beefing-up-the-squad signing.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Country star Kacey Musgraves is currently beefing with a fat internet activist who is mad at her because Walmart doesn't sell any of her newest line of clothing in plus sizes.
—
Zach Dean Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
When the part of Season 2’s Austin came his way, Melton jumped at the chance to play one of the series’ beefing leads.
—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
17 Apr. 2026
Nader’s character Selene is a Zuma Beach lifeguard constantly beefing with new, grown up Hobie Buchanon, played by Stephen Amell.
—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Mar. 2026
Bill Maher and Jimmy Kimmel are beefing.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Smith launched their original Slider sunglasses in 1995, leaning into the nineties silhouette and beefing it up with the first patented dual-lens interchangeable system.
—
Lily Ritter,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
Efforts at beefing them up priced them out of existence.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Injuries would be a concern, but this is a beefing-up-the-squad signing.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Country star Kacey Musgraves is currently beefing with a fat internet activist who is mad at her because Walmart doesn't sell any of her newest line of clothing in plus sizes.
—
Zach Dean Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
When the part of Season 2’s Austin came his way, Melton jumped at the chance to play one of the series’ beefing leads.
—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
17 Apr. 2026
Nader’s character Selene is a Zuma Beach lifeguard constantly beefing with new, grown up Hobie Buchanon, played by Stephen Amell.
—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Mar. 2026
Bill Maher and Jimmy Kimmel are beefing.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Smith launched their original Slider sunglasses in 1995, leaning into the nineties silhouette and beefing it up with the first patented dual-lens interchangeable system.
—
Lily Ritter,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
Efforts at beefing them up priced them out of existence.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beefing
Verb
-
But John Healey stepped down as defense secretary this month after complaining that Starmer was not moving fast enough to meet the target.
-
Still, some users are complaining online.
Verb
-
The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
-
As Rayan began screaming, al-Ajeen, whose family has long farmed in the area, picked up his son and began walking again.
Verb
-
Stop whining and complaining, people.
-
Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.
Cite this Entry
“Beefing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
