burke

verb

ˈbərk How to pronounce burke (audio)
burked; burking
Synonyms of burkenext

transitive verb

1
: to suppress quietly or indirectly
burke an inquiry
2
: bypass, avoid
burke an issue

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of burke in a Sentence

the executives knew that the drug had dangerous side effects, but they burked the findings

Word History

Etymology

from burke to suffocate, from William Burke †1829 Irish criminal executed for smothering victims to sell their bodies for dissection

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of burke was in 1835

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near burke

burka

burke

Burke

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Burke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burke. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Biographical Definition

Burke

biographical name

ˈbərk How to pronounce Burke (audio)
Edmund 1729–1797 British statesman and orator
Burkean adjective
or Burkian
ˈbər-kē-ən How to pronounce Burke (audio)
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