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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of growl
Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The Republican panelist, 53, dramatically swooned into the back of her chair after Jordan, 38, chose to lean forward and give her his best vampiric growl while discussing the Prohibition-era vampire horror film on Monday.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Across 17 restless songs, packed into 30 minutes, Mel V growls and scream-raps her way through a vicious yet silly mind dump.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
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
The Republican panelist, 53, dramatically swooned into the back of her chair after Jordan, 38, chose to lean forward and give her his best vampiric growl while discussing the Prohibition-era vampire horror film on Monday.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Common signs that your pup is having a tantrum include refusing to follow commands, excessive barking, growling, and destructive behaviors such as chewing.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Across 17 restless songs, packed into 30 minutes, Mel V growls and scream-raps her way through a vicious yet silly mind dump.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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His team-mates celebrated; the Boca players complained furiously, surrounding the referee and pointing at Marchesin.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Many have complained that American alternatives for some foreign imports may be unavailable or are too expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Osborn was one of 15 members of the North Area Technical Rescue Team practicing water rescues on a roaring Clear Creek last week west of Golden.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
20 June 2025
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Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff A neighborhood park rises again Excavators rumble and dump trucks roar, even on weekends.—
Melanie Stetson Freeman,
Christian Science Monitor,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Yet there’s no denying the chorus of vehicles that rumbles through his prose.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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The letter comes a day before Equity and the producer trade body are due to sit down for yet another round of negotiations on a set of new collective agreements that has been rumbling for around 12 months, with AI safeguards proving quite the sticking point.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Noun
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And finally, Gi-hun is ready to talk … or sort of snarl under his breath, anyway.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Service may be rendered with a snarl instead of a smile.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Verb
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The Pacers' star went down and immediately screamed in pain.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Shildt is terrible for the Padres — the last thing that group of guys needs is someone encouraging their wild mood swings between whining and macho antics.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to ‘stop whining’ and get to work Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the approach of President Trump’s administration.—
Andre Garron,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2025
Verb
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There’s no point moaning without offering some kind of solution.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Erik Windsor said fire crews removed a manhole cover in the general area of the storm drain opening, inserted a powerful listening device and heard moaning.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
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Grandpa got up from his armchair and shuffled into the kitchen, muttering about needing a drink.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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