1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he was growling about how much work he had to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to roar
to make a long loud deep noise or cry
the neighbor's dog growls every time we pass the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of growl
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
This mobile bar crisscrosses the room’s checkerboard floor with the growling rumble of a subway train.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This is the diplomatic equivalent of a low growl signaling rising frustration.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Some hissing or growling is normal, but separate them if aggression escalates.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
This mobile bar crisscrosses the room’s checkerboard floor with the growling rumble of a subway train.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
In one incident, a predator, confirmed by a state biologist to have been a wolf, attacked an elk on the front steps of a home in Sierra County as the college-age son of the owner cowered inside, alone and afraid amid the growls and thumps that were shaking the front door.
—Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
This is the diplomatic equivalent of a low growl signaling rising frustration.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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In that appearance, Thilly moonwalked across the floor and performed a backspin before using his allotted five minutes to complain about rising taxes, according to CBS News New York.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Another woman, 59, complained of back pain, per the outlets.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fans roared and whistled during a standing ovation.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
6 Nov. 2025
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After going 74-88 last season, the Blue Jays defied expectations and roared through the regular season with a 94-68 record.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Cars and trucks and motorcycles rumble everywhere.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
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Armored vehicles rumble through our neighborhoods.—
Jody Agius Vallejo,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The shooting of the police officer not only caused traffic snarls but also school shutdowns.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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The funding fight in Washington gained new urgency this week as millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance, more federal workers miss their first full paycheck and recurring delays at airports snarl travel plans.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chuck and Jim loved the sounds of spaghetti westerns, an influence instantly recognizable in the war-cry screaming sound that permeates his score.—
Bear McCreary,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Any artist could sit, whine, and complain about all the songs that didn’t strike well.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Chip whined and nuzzled at my hand.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something moaning in the background.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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