Definition of growl
intransitive verb
1a : rumble his stomach growledb : to utter a growl the dog growled at the stranger
2 : to complain angrily
transitive verb
: to utter with a growl : utter angrily
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Examples of growl in a Sentence
I could hear a dog growling behind me.
My stomach's been growling all morning.
“What do you want?” he growled.
He's always growling about the government.
Recent Examples of growl from the Web
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The crowds that came streaming through the doors of 75 Main St. on that late February day were hungry — and not just in a temporary stomach-growling way.
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Khaled can loudly dote on his infant near, say, Pusha T, growling about cocaine.
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Birds shrieked from the trees, small dogs growled, even heinous criminals looked upon him with loathing.
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The same thing that happens in professional wrestling, where androgen-loaded men growl at one another and rip through their shirts by flexing their chests.
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A tractor growls, the packing trailer jerks into motion and Betancourt and his co-workers begin their routine: walk, stoop, cut, toss.
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With its double-breasted blazer, oversize buttons, and geometric pattern, the look was smart for evening, but the growling tiger in the back brought a more lighthearted touch.
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Wells began growling at the horses, scaring them, according to the police statement.
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As James Keziah Delaney, who returns to London from abroad to reclaim his family legacy, Mr. Hardy growls, rasps, glowers and, when Delaney is caught without an answer, makes a popping noise that resembles a grunt.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'growl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of growl
Middle English groulen, grollen
growl
Definition of growl
: a deep guttural inarticulate sound
Examples of growl in a Sentence
The dog gave a menacing growl.
He answered my question with a growl.
We could hear a growl of thunder in the distance.
Recent Examples of growl from the Web
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Engine response is near-instantaneous and sonorous, too: induction growl mixes with supercharger whine and exhaust roar.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'growl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of growl
1715
GROWL Defined for English Language Learners
growl
playDefinition of growl for English Language Learners
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of an animal : to make a deep threatening sound
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: to make a low sound like the sound of a growling animal
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: to say (something) in an angry way
growl
Definition of growl for English Language Learners
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: a deep sound made by an animal; also : a similar sound
GROWL Defined for Kids
Definition of growl for Students
growled
;growling
1 : to make a deep threatening sound The dog growled.
2 : to make a low rumbling noise My stomach is growling.
3 : to complain or say in an angry way “Only use them when we absolutely have to,” growled Azaz disgustedly. — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth
Definition of growl for Students
1 : a deep threatening sound (as of an animal)
2 : a grumbling or muttered complaint
Learn More about growl
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for growl Spanish Central: Translation of growl Nglish: Translation of growl for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of growl for Arabic speakers
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