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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of growl
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Roxy doesn't take her eyes from the screen, and when Aishah turns the camera to show what's happening in the movie, Roxy can be heard making a noise somewhere between a growl and a whine.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Distance-Increasing Signals: Behaviors such as lip licking, turning away, or stiffening, escalating to growling or lunging if ignored.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
In this case, Oakey's growl is likely his way of expressing anticipation and impatience, much like a child demanding their favorite show.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Roxy doesn't take her eyes from the screen, and when Aishah turns the camera to show what's happening in the movie, Roxy can be heard making a noise somewhere between a growl and a whine.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
That's because behind every gurgle and growl there's a bustling ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms that include bacteria, viruses and fungi that can all affect overall mental and physical well-being.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Distance-Increasing Signals: Behaviors such as lip licking, turning away, or stiffening, escalating to growling or lunging if ignored.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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A number of Tesla shareholders, including some Democrats who oversee the investment of public sector pension fund money in Tesla stock, complained in May to Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm that Musk’s other activities are hurting the company.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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Trump has complained about the EU's $231 billion trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more goods from European businesses than the other way around.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Jurassic World Rebirth, the seventh title in the series, is roaring even louder overseas, where its estimated opening is $171.3 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
5 July 2025
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As the Swiss national anthem roared from the terraces, dispelling any suggestion that the majority of red were not from these parts, any facsimile of drift was impossible to register.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Volcanoes in Alaska, Washington state, Oregon and Hawaii have recently been rumbling and even spewing lava, enough to spark a swarm of news stories.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
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After 15 minutes, the new dryer rumbled to life in my house.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Liam sounds ferociously on-form, his nasal snarl infused with a malevolent purr.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
5 July 2025
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When the pandemic hit, the export-heavy industry was wracked with supply chain snarls.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Woman screams as snake attacks—dog jumps in and takes the venom for her The video highlighted the canine parents, with viewers instantly falling in love with the unique puppies.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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Expose them to loud noises The sound of a baby screaming or crying can be distressing to your dog.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Through it all, though, Soto didn’t whine or complain or let the pressure of the contract and expectations and big city bring him down along with his batting average.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
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Of course, some will whine that endless war and support for atrocities erode America’s values.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Now-tired 2010 fads that Lorde pioneered, including bittersweet tropical-pop textures and moaning vocal snippets, are everywhere.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
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After one season, he was forcefully rejected by the community, which moaned to the press (and the local police) that the tranquil pondside inn was becoming a celebrity- and influencer-infested late-night party spot just like his club in the city.—
Brock Colyar,
Curbed,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Before immediately snapping, sighing loudly, or muttering a passive-aggressive comment, try pausing to consider what else might be going on first: Maybe your barista’s slammed with 10 other complicated orders, for instance, or your housemate had a brutal week at work.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
17 June 2025
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McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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