grovel 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈgrä-vᵊl How to pronounce grovel (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

groveling

2 of 3

adjective

variants or grovelling
as in fawning

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
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
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
  1. cringe
  2. crawl
  3. flinch
  4. creep
  5. cower
  6. snake
  7. slide
  8. slither
Verb
  • So when there was a kissing scene, Larry cringed, just cringed.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • For tips on how to stop cringing about an awkward moment, read our comic.
    — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 July 2026
Definition of cringe
Verb
  • The six-legged hopper, which, at each landing site, will crawl to material undisturbed by its rocket plume, also carries a drill to look for water ice.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Trying to crawl her way towards a spot between her shoulder blades.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • The Value Of Clarity​ Clarity is the ability to answer three questions without flinching.
    — Andrew Kokes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The brand is often compared to Dyson, a parallel Ozener doesn’t flinch at.
    — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • Audiences embraced the films for their creeping realism and slow-building scares, which transformed ordinary bedrooms, hallways and home security cameras into places where something terrifying might be lurking just outside the frame.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nic Antaya / Getty Images As the calendar creeps toward September, the Detroit Red Wings are still conducting their search for their next general manager.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of creep
Verb
  • Bret and Thom run to Susan’s bedroom door, which opens to reveal Debbie and Ryan cowering shirtless before the long-haired intruder.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Not the kind who cowered from viruses and obsessed over death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of cower
Verb
  • The Premier League trophy was kept out of the way, not shown off, apart from the blazing cover picture in the souvenir programme which ensured queues snaking through the crowd to purchase this special memento.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • When her foster mom is preparing dinner, Lu sneakily samples from her siblings’ meals, snaking her tongue into each bowl.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of snake
Verb
  • Shares of Sandisk dropped 5%, while Corning slid 3% and Coherent fell more than 5%.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Mechanical watches, however, are rarely seen during competition, particularly in a sport where a timepiece could be subjected to the shocks of sliding, diving for a ball or being hit by a pitch.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of slide
Verb
  • Look for a variety of birds of prey, slithering reptiles, and little critters that run from here to there.
    — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • This is believed to be the first slithering creature seen at a football practice since Drew Rosenhaus.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of slither

Browse Nearby Words

grove
grovel
groveled
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Cite this Entry

“Grovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grovel. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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