groveling 1 of 2

variants or grovelling
present participle of grovel
1
as in flinching
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

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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

groveling

2 of 2

adjective

variants or grovelling

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 groveling
Adjective
Continue reading … POINTING FINGERS – Former vice president accuses newspaper owners of 'groveling' to Trump in new book. FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groveling
Verb
  • Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors, barely flinching at the rubber chicken.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Skubal, apparently flinching with the noise, balked for only the second time in his career.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For a child who’s crawling or walking, a mat with pop-up walls or fencing can keep your little one safe and contained.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Waking up an hour earlier than expected and being hosed with mountain runoff water while crawling in the pool tested my resilience and determination.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.
    The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
  • And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling.
    Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His East Carolina team had lost in the regional the day before, sliding to the brink of elimination.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Western leaders have sought to paper over these inconvenient truths, including at their June G-7 and NATO summits, with obsequious efforts to flatter, humor, and cajole Trump.
    Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Von der Leyen did not appear obsequious in her meeting with Trump.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • There is a cowering quality to her body, even her voice.
    Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
  • As a result, the poor Rottweiler could be seen cowering against the wall and looking incredibly nervous in the cat’s presence.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Video later showed a man climbing a staircase to a common area beside the building, scaling a wall and crouching on the rooftop.
    Stepheny Price , Alexandra Koch , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The study team investigated 54 crouching burials that had previously been found at 11 archaeological sites.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
  • His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Groveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groveling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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