bleated

verb

past tense of bleat
1
as in complained
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely as far as the slumlord was concerned, the unhappy tenants were just bleating about nothing

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2
as in whimpered
to utter feeble plaintive cries the baby bleated softly as he woke up, then smiled

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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 bleated The old man bleated out a laugh. — Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleated
  1. complained
  2. whimpered
  3. screamed
  4. cried
  5. whined
  6. moaned
  7. muttered
Verb
  • In recent years, homeowners, developers and businesses have complained that navigating the Planning Department can be complicating and confusing.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In August, after Aces guard Jackie Young complained about a fan during a game in Indiana, the Fever said security found no Fan Code of Conduct violation.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of complained
Verb
  • Pancho, a heavy-bodied Airedale, whimpered and rubbed against my leg with the expectation of excitement to come.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026
  • Arms flew around in exasperation, and the woman left the table for such a long time that the large dog lying at their feet sat up and whimpered in the direction of her departure.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Definition of whimpered
Verb
  • Paired with an all-leather ensemble, pants and pointed-toe pumps included, the hair screamed ’80s rom-com star, the curls falling toward her face in a single swift motion.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Yaffa, who was carrying a pink-and-green school backpack and a matching lunchbox, screamed and covered her ears.
    — Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of screamed
Verb
  • Doria Rone, a local business owner, cried throughout the two-hour event.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Several stars, pros, and judges cried during the Dancing With the Stars season 35 premiere.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of cried
Verb
  • Post-Covid, Hollywood has whined about the falloff for MPA fare in Pan Asian territories, particularly the once-robust South Korea.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 July 2026
  • After a few casts, Rubye’s rod bent, and the reel whined as line spooled out.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of whined
Verb
  • Coach Arne Slot moaned about VAR but his problems lie much closer to home.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
Definition of moaned
Verb
  • The camera then cut to McCarthy, who muttered a profanity in response.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Heti stared at the drawing in front of her and muttered whatever under her breath.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of muttered

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Cite this Entry

“Bleated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleated. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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