1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he was growling about how much work he had to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to roar
to make a long loud deep noise or cry
the neighbor's dog growls every time we pass the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 growl
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Joe’s raspy growl and Nick’s smoother tone contrast nicely and meet in the middle of the groovy, soulful pop-rock lane the group’s newer music occupies.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Unflappable, Xhaka has the aura of one who has slipped into comfy slippers and a favourite armchair, at home in the growling adversity faced by a club for whom survival remains the overriding goal.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Joe’s raspy growl and Nick’s smoother tone contrast nicely and meet in the middle of the groovy, soulful pop-rock lane the group’s newer music occupies.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
-
Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So as the fires roared through Altadena, thousands more homeowners were left with insurance coverage that didn’t fully cover the costs of rebuilding.—
Kyung Lah,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
After painful cuts and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Stock Show is growing again after another $400 million investment in its campus, and attendance has roared back to pre-pandemic levels.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins scooped the ball and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Last year the Eagles rumbled to plus-12, the widest margin of the century to date.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite headwinds like tariffs, supply chain snarls and higher costs for solar panels and other components, Fishman said, the initiative is having an impact.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
And, two, worldwide supply chain snarls also stemming from the pandemic.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even Liz and Prue, half sisters whose relationship had been punctuated by epic screaming fights, found common ground.—
Gabriel Sherman,
Vanity Fair,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Emotions spilled over in the public gallery when the sister of one of the teachers killed screamed out.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Illinois Republicans have turned whining into an artform.—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
First came Notre Dame whining over missing out on a College Football Playoff invite.—
Greg Cote
December 14,
Miami Herald,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The austerity gives her plenty of room to writhe, mug, and moan between occasional shots of an inflatable Martian and a tropical-looking Tiffany lamp.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The camera then turns to James Austin Johnson, who played the president, sleeping and muttering New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s name.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Dec. 2025
-
On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
