Bleat — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈblēt/

Meaning & Definition of Bleat

Bleat (verb)

  1. to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat; also, to utter a similar sound
  2. whimper
  3. to talk complainingly or with a whine

Bleat (noun)

  1. the cry of a sheep or goat; also, a similar sound
  2. a feeble outcry, protest, or complaint

Bleat (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment

    "a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat"

    similar: beef, bitch, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer
    related: challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle (chiefly British), objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink
    near: commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction

Bleat (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

    "as far as the slumlord was concerned, the unhappy tenants were just bleating about nothing"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder (chiefly British), moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

  2. to utter feeble plaintive cries

    "the baby bleated softly as he woke up, then smiled"

    similar: mewl, pule, whimper
    related: fuss, sniffle, snivel, snuffle, whine, bawl, blub (chiefly British), blubber, cry, sob, weep, peep, squeak, yelp, mumble, murmur, mutter, groan, moan, sigh
    near: scream, screech, shriek, squeal, howl, squall, wail, yowl, call, caterwaul, squawk, bellow, roar

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bleat

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bleat:

British: whinge
Chiefly British: maunder
beef, bitch, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, bellyache, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, grizzle, growl, grump, inveigh, keen, kick, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squeal, yawp, yowl

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bleat

Words with the opposite meaning of Bleat:

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Bleat

challenge, demur, expostulation, niggle, objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink, object (to), quarrel (with), cavil, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, sniffle, snivel, snuffle, bawl, blub, weep, peep, squeak, yelp

Near Antonyms of Bleat

commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend, scream, screech, shriek, squeal, howl, squall, wail, yowl, call, caterwaul, squawk, bellow

Word Forms of Bleat

Inflections: bleated, bleating, bleats

Derived words: bleater (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Bleat

Middle English bleten, from Old English blǣtan; akin to Latin flēre to weep, Old English bellan to roar bellow

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Frequently Asked Questions about Bleat

What does "Bleat" mean?

"Bleat" means to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat; also, to utter a similar sound. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat; also, to utter a similar sound. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bleat"?

Other words for "Bleat" include beef, bitch, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe and grouch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bleat" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bleat"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bleat". Common alternatives include beef, bitch, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse and grumble.

What is the opposite of "Bleat"?

Antonyms of "Bleat" include crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include commendation, compliment, plaudit and acclaim.

How do you use "Bleat" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bleat" in a sentence: "a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat"; "as far as the slumlord was concerned, the unhappy tenants were just bleating about nothing"; "the baby bleated softly as he woke up, then smiled".

Is "Bleat" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bleat" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Bleat"?

"Bleat" is pronounced /ˈblēt/.

What is the origin of the word "Bleat"?

"Bleat" comes from Middle English bleten, from Old English blǣtan; akin to Latin flēre to weep, Old English bellan to roar bellow. First known use: before 12th centuryi.