GROVELLING Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

groveling 1 of 2

adjective

variants or grovelling

as in fawning

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

groveling

2 of 2

verb

variants or grovelling

present participle of grovel

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

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 groveling

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

The 76ers, team sources said, had thought about the potential downside of Myers’ pitch being viewed as groveling publicly. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026 Abject, groveling apologies to Moss and everybody on the longevity team! — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 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 That’s the saddest cash-grab gimmick ever, groveling for Dubai dollars. — Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Jan. 2026 Rather than wait it out until January 2029, when magical thinking assumes the current transatlantic nightmare will come to an end, the EU needs to stop groveling and build greater sovereignty. — Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for groveling

Adjective

For instance, Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have become openly obsequious in sucking up to the DSA.

— Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
As a friend — her friends all know that Bobbi was singular — ever thoughtful, never obsequious, sometimes obstinate, always honest.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of obsequious

Adjective

Unfortunately, Trump takes servile flattery as his due.

— Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Of course, all of this convenient acquiescence will sound familiar in the United States, where our own Congress and Department of Justice have been nothing if not servile to a brazenly corrupt executive.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

Definition of servile

Verb

The Value Of Clarity Clarity is the ability to answer three questions without flinching.

— Andrew Kokes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Amy Adams’ Anna Bowden — who has a complicated history with Max as his former lawyer — peeks through the curtain to spy on him, flinching as Max insists on snapping his own broken finger into place.

— Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of flinching

Verb

Each of its elements began, long ago, in the loamy earth, hatching and creeping or slipping, slick and squealing, from the womb of the mind.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
But when the death watch beetle starts creeping around Kylie’s boyfriend (Xolo Maridueña), an emotionally available DJ — the script’s words, not mine — the truth about her bloodline comes spilling out.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of creeping

Adjective

Politicians in both parties are distancing themselves from an increasingly unpopular building boom faster than a sycophantic chatbot can flatter its user.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Always chipper, always sycophantic, and completely nonsensical.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of sycophantic

Verb

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors bring in ample light and overlook the backyard terrace’s heated pool, outdoor shower, and fireplace, while dimmable cove lighting furthers the warmth.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Sneakers and socks sliding across the floor, heels lifting and landing in time with the music.

— Erica Rosenfeld Halverson, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of sliding

Browse Nearby Words

grovelers

groveling

grovels

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Style

“Groveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groveling. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of groveling

adjective

verb

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