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birch 1 of 2

verb

Definition of birchnext
1
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible students at the private school were once routinely birched for violating the rules

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly always a stern disciplinarian, our father birched anyone who talked back

Synonyms & Similar Words

birch

2 of 2

noun

as in hickory

Related 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 birch
Verb
During most of the year, merlins inhabit open country ranging from marshlands to deserts, but many breed in conifer and birch woods. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 The fungus and wood fiber combination was applied in thin coats on the surfaces of two types of paper, denim, polyester felt and birch wood veneer, and left in an oven to dry for a day. — New Atlas, 15 Nov. 2025
Noun
At their home, the custom birch dining table hosts client meetings by day and family dinners at night. — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 Chanterelle mushrooms grow individually, but are often clustered together in mossy forests with lots of conifer trees and near birch and oak trees in more mountainous regions. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for birch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for birch
  1. hide
  2. lick
  3. hickory
  4. leather
  5. lash
  6. rattan
  7. whip
  8. pound
Verb
  • Cuts to public agencies have coincided with outbreaks of infectious and foodborne diseases, to the point that the administration is trying to manipulate numbers to hide measles deaths.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The restaurant is also available for private-dining bookings with a room that can instantly tint its glass, hiding diners with the flip of a switch.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Baldwin’s post featured a video of the dog licking a cherry ice pop and looking at the rain.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Therefore, scrapes without a licking branch aren’t repeatedly visited and re-used by the local deer herd.
    — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of lick
Noun
  • Rent from Kayak Branson to paddle around Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake, both ringed with golden hickory and oak trees.
    — Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some, like oaks and hickory trees, keep their green leaves for longer.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hickory
Verb
  • Those getting leathered up are Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Lily-Rose Depp, Doona Bae, Riley Keough, Chris Pine and Cate Blanchett.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The primary bath’s limestone floor tiles and deeply veined Cielo leathered quartzite reinforce the space’s quiet, earthy palette.
    — Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of leather
Verb
  • These are just two of the many scenes of destruction the hurricane has left in Hawaii after lashing the state’s western islands with heavy rain, widespread flooding and tropical-storm-force winds on Monday and Tuesday.
    — Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • On another social media app, X, Ellin continued to lash out against the ad.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of lash
Noun
  • It’s fueled by a propane tank that tucks neatly inside the table, which is crafted from a combination of metal and weather-resistant rattan.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026
  • The set is wrapped in durable rattan with steel frames underneath, and the tabletop is made of weather-resistant acacia wood.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
Definition of rattan
Verb
  • Who wouldn’t like to whip out a formula that enabled you to judge this action as evil and the other as merely wrong?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Michele plays Darcy Miles, a Pilates Princess and trainer who, when asked to whip her girls into shape, flexes her muscles too hard.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of whip
Verb
  • With styles rooted in Texas, Kansas City, North Carolina and Memphis, barbecue often elicits table-pounding opinions.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Russian overnight strikes also pounded western Ukraine, though there were no immediate reports of casualties.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of pound

Browse Nearby Words

biplanes
birch
birched
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Cite this Entry

“Birch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/birch. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on birch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about birch

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