Synonyms of grovel

grovel 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈgrä-vᵊl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cringe
• flinch
• cower
• recoil
• quail
• kowtow
• blanch
• whiten
• shrink
• fawn
• toady
• blench
• squinch

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crawl
• creep
• snake
• slide
• slither
• wriggle
• worm
• tiptoe
• crouch
• squat
• sneak
• belly
• steal
• inch
• edge
• skulk
• nose

groveling

2 of 3

adjective

variants or grovelling

as in fawning

Related Words

• fawning
• obsequious
• servile
• sycophantic
• kowtowing
• subservient
• toadying
• genuflecting
• worshipful
• hagiographic
• reverential
• reverent
• courteous
• deferential
• polite
• dutiful
• civil
• respectful
• venerating
• gracious
• deferent
• regardful
• kid-glove
• kid-gloved

Dissimilar Words

• disrespectful
• insulting
• abusive
• offensive
• demeaning
• derogatory
• contemptuous
• disparaging
• undutiful
• impudent
• scornful
• insolent
• irreverent
• rude
• belittling
• depreciatory
• discourteous
• depreciative
• uncivil

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

• cringing
• flinching
• cowering
• recoiling
• quailing
• fawning
• kowtowing
• shrinking
• blanching
• whitening
• toadying
• blenching
• squinching

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

• crawling
• creeping
• sliding
• snaking
• slithering
• wriggling
• crouching
• squatting
• tiptoeing
• bellying
• sneaking
• worming
• stealing
• inching
• edging
• skulking
• nosing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grovel

Verb

Here the adult narrator creates an atmosphere closer to Schulz’s erotic drawings, obsessively filled with images of the artist himself groveling at the feet of lithe young women. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 12 Feb. 2026

Political courage is needed, especially from the cowardly, groveling Congress. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Roger resigns in disgrace, his numerous groveling apologies go unaccepted and he is sentenced to a lifetime guest spot on The View. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 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