1
as in propagated
to bring forth offspring
rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in raised
to bring to maturity through care and education
he was bred to a life in the military by his father, himself an army captain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in created
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this habit of favoring one employee over the others will breed resentment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in slept
to engage in sexual intercourse
cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in planted
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
parents who breed in their children a deep respect for people of all classes
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 bred
Some varieties, like ‘Tumbling Tom’ have a cascading habit while others, including ‘Tiny Tim’ have been bred specifically for growing in containers.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Green hydrangeas are seen on varieties that have been bred for green color, such as Invincible Sublime, a mophead type.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
That Niall finds Ruben so alluring is natural to Gadd, who believes the notion of a valiant male figure has been bred into everyone via fables and fairy tales.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The Cranberries were four humble Irish kids bred and buttered on the outskirts of Limerick.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
From Loss to Something Unexpected Camy’s story didn’t follow the path she was bred for.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Reblooming Hydrangea Reblooming hydrangeas, such as Endless Summer, are mostly bred cultivars of bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) that bloom on new stems produced during the growing season.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2026
Officials say the birds may resemble native species commonly seen in the area, but stress these animals were bred in captivity and are not capable of surviving on their own.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
But the efficacy and popularity of GLP-1 drugs have also bred plenty of misconceptions.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 17 Apr. 2026
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Green hydrangeas are seen on varieties that have been bred for green color, such as Invincible Sublime, a mophead type.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
That Niall finds Ruben so alluring is natural to Gadd, who believes the notion of a valiant male figure has been bred into everyone via fables and fairy tales.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The Cranberries were four humble Irish kids bred and buttered on the outskirts of Limerick.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
From Loss to Something Unexpected Camy’s story didn’t follow the path she was bred for.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Reblooming Hydrangea Reblooming hydrangeas, such as Endless Summer, are mostly bred cultivars of bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) that bloom on new stems produced during the growing season.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2026
Officials say the birds may resemble native species commonly seen in the area, but stress these animals were bred in captivity and are not capable of surviving on their own.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
But the efficacy and popularity of GLP-1 drugs have also bred plenty of misconceptions.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bred
Verb
-
The scenic seaside town was once a hub for members of France’s high society who preferred something more laid back than the glitzy Cote d’Azur in the east, and a casual atmosphere still persists here, thanks in part to the surf culture that has propagated over the years.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Sedum can also be propagated from summer cuttings.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In that moment, Caldentey looked up, assessed the situation, and raised her right arm.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In past years, that has created openings for disruptions in the lobby and other public spaces, including protests in which security moved to remove guests who unfurled banners or staged demonstrations.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
-
That event, along with the Grand Mosque seizure in 1979, created a backlash against Western thought, Western ideology.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And then one night, as Van Gaver slept, a nightmare unfolded in his pigeon loft.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once established, however, the picture changes as California sycamores are drought-tolerant, not long after being planted in the garden.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah’s military chief, is killed when a bomb planted in his car exploded in Damascus.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rooms look out onto the High Line (the former train track reimagined as a public green space) or the hotel’s own garden, and are treated with hardwood floors, idiosyncratic furniture sourced from the likes of Brimfield Antique Show, and reproduced 19th-century English wallpaper.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Cannot be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dubai is looking to shore up confidence in the emirate after it was repeatedly attacked by Iranian missiles and drones, shaking a perception of security fostered over decades.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This experience, of writing for an audience of a few hundred people fostered in me a love of writing for its own sake.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 76th edition of the FIFA Congress brought some 1,600 of the top soccer officials from around the world to the city.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The king met with the little leaguers, greeted local dancers and the queen even said hello to a little black and white lamb who was brought by a local to the historic event.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bred. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
