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
Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
The 120-pound canine's confusion resulted in a growl and a warning bite, Kashen told Newsweek via TikTok.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The scene’s amniotic shoppe Muzak is suddenly overridden by a deep, growling synth.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
The raw power of his voice overwhelmed the space, alternating between a feminine falsetto and masculine growl—often within the same song.
—Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
The 120-pound canine's confusion resulted in a growl and a warning bite, Kashen told Newsweek via TikTok.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Noun
Video footage recorded by their owner Macie Lamb shows two pups, Ace and Tango growling at a decorative object that resembles a small ceramic dog wearing a ghost costume while holding a pumpkin in its mouth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The scene’s amniotic shoppe Muzak is suddenly overridden by a deep, growling synth.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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Not that mom was complaining all that much about her daughter's efforts.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Allen even complained that he was being micromanaged about a week before the Tamarac murders.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Sales Business’ Challenges In the roaring 1990s, the heyday of pre-sales and output deals, Patrick Wachsberger was able to cover 125% of a budget via bank finance and pre-sales, or so interviewer Roeg Sutherland in a warm humored chat.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the season's second hurricane, Gabrielle, continues to roar far out to sea on its way to Europe.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Facing a third-and-25 after a big penalty, Keller pulled out the tricks with a throwback pass from Brock Meek to Burkett, who rumbled 48 yards to the Texans’ 2-yard line.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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Lions rumbled somewhere far off.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some state laws also prevent pharmacists from administering vaccines that haven’t been recommended by ACIP—a snarl that’s prompted pharmacies to limit access to COVID vaccines in more than a dozen states.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
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The River Cats’ mascot, Dinger, danced on the roof of the visiting team’s dugout, and sound effects played during tense and celebratory moments: a feline snarl, and the two-note sting associated in pop culture with an approaching shark.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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You are caught by surprise by the car door opening, and scream and bury your teeth in the arm of the cop trying to bring you home, scrapping all the harder for being caught unawares.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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The group chanted, sang and screamed at a group of agents in military fatigues and masks who walked back and forth on the building’s roof.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Boston Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In one of the videos, she's seen rinsing her eye in a hospital sink, while moaning from the discomfort.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
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Julia says, dropping to all fours and moaning amid a pile of straw on the floor.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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My husband has been muttering in a loop about tuition, books, food, and transportation to and from home to campus.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
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