beak

noun

ˈbēk How to pronounce beak (audio)
Definition of beaknext
1
as in mouth
the jaws of a bird together with their hornlike covering the bird cracked the walnut shell with its beak and ate its nut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in nose
the part of the face bearing the nostrils and nasal cavity the man's prominent beak gives him a somewhat aquiline appearance

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in judge
chiefly British a public official having authority to decide questions of law received a stiff sentence from one of the harshest beaks in all of London

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 beak For instance, Puerto Rican anole lizards have developed longer limbs and larger toe pads for city life, and house finches show adapted beaks. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Vittore and Strmic take about half as much time, Ruddell even less, putting his leather beak mask on at the very last minute. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026 Behind the judge’s chair hung a massive crest of an eagle with wings spread, its fierce beak turned stage right. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The birds use their beaks to scoop up whatever comes their way. — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beak
  1. mouth
  2. nose
  3. judge
  4. mandible
  5. snout
  6. court
  7. muzzle
  8. bench
Noun
  • The country's coastal regions near the mouth of the Amazon are known as the Equatorial Margin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • You’re not left with long strands hanging down from your mouth.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of mouth
Noun
  • The bridge of Islam Makhachev's nose, right cheek and forehead were scraped or sliced open and his left cheek sported a baseball-sized bruise after taking a few too many brutal blows to the face.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Alexa Frank thought the small, pink, flaky spot on her nose was an acne scar or eczema, a condition that causes dry, itchy skin.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of nose
Noun
  • The judge believes the defendant tried to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses ahead of a trial scheduled for next year.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Amid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of judge
Noun
  • Their legs and mandibles may vary in lighter brown or orange colors.
    — Jane Kim, The Spruce, 24 May 2026
  • That same year, DNA analysis revealed that a tooth recovered from a mandible at one of the relevant archaeological sites was that of Captain James Fitzjames of the HMS Erebus.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Definition of mandible
Noun
  • Halligan said breeds with short snouts like Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs and Pekingese pups are at greater risk, so are overweight animals and dogs with dark fur.
    — Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Inside the snout is a radula, which scientists describe as sort of like a tongue, but also sort of like a chainsaw.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 July 2026
Definition of snout
Noun
  • Complicating matters, anything said in federal court — including Mangione's statements Friday admitting to killing Thompson — potentially could be used against him in state court, or vice versa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Good for Brooks, who became the heart and soul of the team last season because of his on-and-off the court leadership and gritty play.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of court
Noun
  • When examining the dogs, judges expect a pretty, soft head with a nice expression, plenty of width and a reasonable muzzle length.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Another shot shows two pups — a mostly white one and a light brown one with a white muzzle — standing up in their pens.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of muzzle
Noun
  • The three-time All-Star gingerly walked past her team’s bench and straight to the locker room.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The car is designed to transform throughout the show, serving not only as a car but also as a bed and a bench as the story moves between locations.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bench

Browse Nearby Words

beads
beak
beaker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beak. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on beak

Nglish: Translation of beak for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoron

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All