grovels

Definition of grovelsnext
present tense third-person singular of grovel
1
as in cringes
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 crawls
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grovels
Verb
  • Payton cringes at the mention of a sophomore slump, that defenses will figure out Nix.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As with aftermarket switchable sway bar systems, drivers can lock the sway bars in place for better handling and stability at speed and unlock them completely for maximum articulation during bumpy rock crawls.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Ma crawls toward you and plants her palms on your cheeks.
    Molly Aitken, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cash flinches from this cascade of consequences.
    Gideon Leek, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Sheinbaum quickly moves away and visibly flinches as the man attempts to put his arm around her.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Suspicion and shame drenched Hanceville like the fog that creeps down Main Street.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Mintz agrees that intentional time matters, especially when guilt creeps in.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If Venezuela and its region instead spiral into chaos and suffering, Trump will merely look like a bully, a president who cowers when facing the mighty — in Moscow or Beijing, say — but bombs those who can’t return fire, whether in Nigeria, Yemen or Venezuela.
    Andreas Kluth, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Guthrie family cowers in obedient fear of its brooding patriarch (Peter Mullan).
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • From the mouth of Lake of the Woods, the Warroad River snakes through the middle of the city limits, a few blocks from the headquarters of Marvin Windows and Doors, the employer as synonymous with the town as the sport of hockey.
    Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The dining room features a sprawling chandelier that snakes its way across the ceiling.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In the winter, a crossbody slides easily over heavy wool coats, so no need to keep fussing with a slipping strap.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The cold front will dissipate on Sunday as the upper-atmospheric ridge of high pressure slides east of Texas.
    Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Grovels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grovels. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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