grovel 1 of 3

Definition of grovelnext
1
as in to cringe
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the way in which the abused dog would grovel whenever its owner came near

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2
as in to crawl
to move slowly with the body close to the ground because of their anatomy, bats can only grovel while moving along the ground

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groveling

2 of 3

adjective

variants or grovelling

groveling

3 of 3

verb (2)

variants or grovelling
present participle of grovel
1
as in cringing
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the way in which the abused dog would grovel whenever its owner came near

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in crawling
to move slowly with the body close to the ground because of their anatomy, bats can only grovel while moving along the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grovel
Verb
Political courage is needed, especially from the cowardly, groveling Congress. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026 That’s the saddest cash-grab gimmick ever, groveling for Dubai dollars. Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
Cue the fine and the groveling league apology. Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026 Political courage is needed, especially from the cowardly, groveling Congress. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grovel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grovel
Verb
  • While some automotive enthusiasts still cringe at the mention of a continuously variable transmission, Subaru’s execution here is among the better examples in the industry.
    Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
  • More comics journalism from Life Kit Still cringing about that awkward moment?
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • While some political observers are brushing off speculation that a deluge of ballots could allow Steyer to crawl into the top two, conservative activists are keeping a close watch.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 5 June 2026
  • The next day, with water levels having dropped inside the cave, the remaining four men caught rescuers by surprise, crawling out on their own just as divers were getting ready to go in and get them.
    Janis Mackey Frayer, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • More comics journalism from Life Kit Still cringing about that awkward moment?
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 25 May 2026
  • Try and get through this one without cringing.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • The Thursday night group was seen leaving about three hours afterward, according to the NYPD, while the second odd circumstance ended after individuals were seen crawling out and leaving in a vehicle more than two and a half hours after.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 June 2026
  • Toddlers and babies spend their days at floor level, crawling through dust, putting hands and objects in their mouths, and breathing air closer to the ground than anyone else.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The executive producer and star points to earlier moments in the season, like when Ruben flinched at the sight of his dad through his bedroom window.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
  • However, Wall Street hasn’t flinched.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Chartreuse creeping Jenny adds even more contrast.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
  • But even after this evacuation, the 911 call log and the new county report show sheriff’s deputies responded to an increasing number of spot fires and flare-ups that continued to creep farther west.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • To cede all of that ground to the executive, and to do so in such an obsequious way, is shameful.
    KEN BURNS, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
  • The staff is wonderfully friendly and casual, providing seamless service without being obsequious.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Knorr and other team officials were in the room, but Stammen helped lead it without flinching.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The Alpha Wave acquisition suggests the Gulf’s biggest dealmakers aren’t flinching at opportunities in the US or being slowed by the war in Iran.
    Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grovel. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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