growl 1 of 2

verb

ˈgrau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce growl (audio)
Definition of growlnext
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely he was growling about how much work he had to do

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to rumble
to make a low heavy rolling sound I'm sorry my stomach is growling, but I'm just really hungry

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growl

2 of 2

noun

as in snarl

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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 growl
Verb
At the other end of our road, the cranes of the docks loomed — great Stothert and Pitt machines that growled overhead like something out of Star Wars, guarding the scale and mystery of the River Thames. — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 For Yard Act, who growled onto the world stage with a crunchy aggressive post-punk sound, slowing down (as much as workaholic rockstars can) brought them to a lighter sound. — E.r. Pulgar, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
Dodd recites it from memory in Wolverine’s voice with a growl. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
  1. complain
  2. roar
  3. rumble
  4. snarl
  5. scream
  6. whine
  7. moan
  8. mutter
Verb
  • Some users have complained on social media that the agent accessed personal messages without authorization, which the company has disputed.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2023 memorandum obtained by Fox News Digital, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, who was then serving as the city council president, said residents complained about rodent infestations during a community meeting.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • From a book chronicling a legendary Auburn football season to the Thunderbirds roaring back into Mather, Sacramento-area readers have plenty to track this Friday.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Compared to the roaring thunder of a modern data center, this cluster is nearly inaudible.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of roar
Verb
  • Rules are changing Early in the second quarter, Wilson rumbled into the lane and attempted to use his off arm to create a few inches of space before laying the ball across the rim.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Pardo watched as another adult elephant, likely Matisse’s sister, rumbled from a distance before the family came together, uniting with another series of rumbles, as if saying hello.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of rumble
Noun
  • His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This year’s Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer with closures, travel snarls and record gas prices in California.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of snarl
Verb
  • In June 2016, Blair, who was returning to Los Angeles from a vacation in Cancun, Mexico, began screaming uncontrollably and causing chaos on the flight.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Back in California, Dodgers fans screamed at their television sets.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • While the left spent all week whining about Sophie Cunningham's hat and firing squad best practices, us PATRIOTS were biding our time, keeping our heads down, and grinding towards another weekend.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Dogs may actually improve our sleep habits by forcing us to adjust to consistent bedtime schedules — as anyone with a sleepy, whining dog can confirm.
    — Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • For a cold moment the silence locked a grip on our table, though it was broken, at the edges, by the golf commentators moaning and harrumphing, Rory McIlroy having had a canary on a seventeenth fairway somewhere this championship Sunday.
    — Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • By the time Fowler gave up trying to put one in Carruthers, DiLiberato could hear her client moaning and see blood oozing out of his puncture wounds.
    — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • The camera then cut to McCarthy, who muttered a profanity in response.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Max Muncy, whose home run expanded the Dodgers’ lead, was still muttering about the heat nearly 15 minutes after escaping into air conditioning.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of mutter

Browse Nearby Words

growing up
growl
growled
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Cite this Entry

“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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