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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of growl
Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Expect the never-ending guitar solos and monstrous growling members Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion are known for—plus one sprawling, 14-minute track featuring Marty Friedman.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
Wolf’s voice, a bone-rattling growl, is his greatest legacy.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Expect the never-ending guitar solos and monstrous growling members Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion are known for—plus one sprawling, 14-minute track featuring Marty Friedman.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
The most memorable sound effect for Northwestern games at Ryan Field was a screeching Wildcat growl after big plays.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2025
Wolf’s voice, a bone-rattling growl, is his greatest legacy.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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One of the hosts yelled repeatedly about the results, complained about just about everything and dropped a lot of F-bombs.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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Some workers complain that receiving calls and messages can interrupt their recordings, and having a phone strapped to their head is uncomfortable.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington roars into the city’s Entertainment District starting with practice sessions Friday before culminating with the NTT IndyCar Series race Sunday.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Gui Santos roared to the crowd after finishing a layup through contact to make the deficit just 99-97 with two minutes left.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Storms rumbled across much of the Lone Star State overnight as a Pacific low pressure system pushed into the region, pulling in a steady stream of moisture and interacting with an already unstable atmosphere across Central Texas.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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Somehow both seriously luxurious and utterly relaxed, this flax linen duvet cover and shams merge the material’s trademark rumbled look with a sophisticated edge, literally.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The result was a kind of gasp or snarl configuration of my cheeks and lips.—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
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Michael McCarron brings some size, snarl and strong faceoff ability to the fourth line and the penalty kill.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The cover art shows Robyn screaming and topless.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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One fan’s decision to belt out power ballads instead of just screaming during Stanford’s free throws at the ACC Tournament has turned into the most shareable fan moment heading into March Madness.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Somewhere in the next hour after the field is announced, there will be contemplation and whining about the specter of the NCAA growing its postseason field, most likely to 76 teams.—
Mac Engel
March 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
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Ellie stomps back to the crew mess to whine about it to Jenna and Ben.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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