bred

Definition of brednext
past tense of breed
1
as in propagated
to bring forth offspring rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in slept
to engage in sexual intercourse cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

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 bred According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Great Pyrenees were originally bred as livestock guardian dogs, tasked with protecting flocks in mountainous regions between France and Spain. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 Although plants are sometimes selected and bred for darker foliage solely for ornamental purposes, there are distinct physiological advantages to plants that have it. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 Supporters hope that the bill, which is similar to ordinances in Denver, Fort Collins, Aurora, and other local jurisdictions, will prevent the sale of puppies bred by unscrupulous puppy mills where dogs and cats are confined in tiny cages bearing one litter after another. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 Those issues have bred animosity among some residents and led to growing calls to get the robots off the streets. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026 That success bred investor interest. Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026 Growing up on the west side of Compton, Wallie the Sensei walked the same blocks that bred giants like Kendrick Lamar and the Game. Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 Buddy died in 1998, but DiCicco bred and trained three of Buddy’s offspring for future films. Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026 Most dogs used in research are purpose-bred specifically for that use, according to Meredith Blanchard, director of advocacy and policy at the National Anti-Vivisection Society. Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bred
Verb
  • This means the fruit may not taste like the original pomegranate, as most pomegranate trees are propagated from hardwood cuttings, rather than by seed, to ensure consistent fruit production.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Snowbank™ Indian Hawthorne is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The trip raised hopes among some members on the WhatsApp chain that expressions of empathy toward Palestinians will become more common at Beth El, both from the bimah and in synagogue-wide communications.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Together, the reports signal a possible escalation in the Iran -war — the fallout of which has already rattled markets and raised fears of broader supply chain disruptions and higher global prices.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The deputy gang narrative was a political campaign created to discredit my administration, never used during the McDonnell era, and mysteriously disappeared during the current administration.
    Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Another person who slept over at the condo was Diane and Tex's masseuse, Annie Anderson.
    Lauren A. White, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Annie stayed home and slept on Monday, but Casey posted photos of their 2-year-old son, Auggie, at the stadium.
    Lisa Gutierrez March 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Their plumed blooms in pink, red, white, and purple, and their fern-like leaves add visual contrast when planted with hydrangeas.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Each section with a sprout can be cut into a seed potato and planted.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This article originally appeared in Spektrum der Wissenschaft and was reproduced with permission.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And it's fostered connection between me and the world.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.
    Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Liman allowed three of the 13 legal claims — including breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation — Lively brought against her director and costar Baldoni to proceed to trial.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Separately, the county board of supervisors has hired outside legal counsel to guide them on how to respond to allegations that the sheriff perjured himself during a deposition in a First Amendment lawsuit brought against him by one of his own deputies.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Bred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bred. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bred

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster