grovel

grov·el

verb \ˈgrä-v^əl, ˈgrə-\

grov·eled or grov·elledgrov·el·ing or grov·el·ling

Definition of GROVEL

intransitive verb

1

: to creep with the face to the ground : crawl

2

a : to lie or creep with the body prostrate in token of subservience or abasement b : to abase oneself

3

: to give oneself over to what is base or unworthy : wallow <groveling in self-pity>

— grov·el·er \-v^əl-ər\ noun

— grov·el·ing·ly \-v^əl-iŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of GROVEL

1. The peasants groveled before the king.
2. He had to grovel to get her to accept his apology.
3. He made a groveling apology to his girlfriend.

Origin of GROVEL

back-formation from groveling prone, from groveling, adverb, from Middle English, from gruf, adverb, on the face (from Old Norse ā grūfu) + -ling

First Known Use: 1552

Related to GROVEL

Synonyms: cringe, cower, quail

Related Words: flinch, recoil, shrink, squinch; blanch, blench, whiten; fawn, kowtow, toady

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with GROVEL

novel