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
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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
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Recent Examples of growl
Sydney Bergan, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Her name is Daphne Rubin-Vega and her deep voice growls with gravel and gold.
—Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
One such problem is a too-common vocal style that is expressed in guttural growls, making lyrics difficult to decipher — at least for me.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Bring all of your ingredients in a cooler and start assembling your dream sub once your stomach starts growling.
—Sydney Bergan, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Her name is Daphne Rubin-Vega and her deep voice growls with gravel and gold.
—Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Republican panelist, 53, dramatically swooned into the back of her chair after Jordan, 38, chose to lean forward and give her his best vampiric growl while discussing the Prohibition-era vampire horror film on Monday.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
One such problem is a too-common vocal style that is expressed in guttural growls, making lyrics difficult to decipher — at least for me.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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Patterson complained about her in-laws behind their backs Erin and Simon Patterson got married in 2007 and, after splitting and reconciling multiple times over the years, separated permanently in 2015.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
7 June 2025
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Occasionally, drivers call the CHP to complain — especially during rush hour.—
Tina Li,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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But Alcaraz roared back to win the third set, punctuating it with a forehand volley into the open court that snapped Sinner’s streak of 32 straight sets won at majors.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Carlos Alcaraz roared back from down two sets to defeat Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 in an epic five-hour plus French Open final on Sunday.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Two weak tornadoes struck the Kansas City area as a line of strong thunderstorms rumbled through the metro on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
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Its blast furnaces rumbled so loudly that the sound unnerved visiting high school football teams, recalls Ryan Weld, a West Virginia state senator who grew up in a steel family.—
Patrik Jonsson,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Europe cannot know in advance whether a refreshed Russia would renew attacks on Ukraine, move forward into Belarus, threaten Poland, or snarl at the Baltics.—
Barry R. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Apr. 2025
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Walker provides a snarl that is otherwise missing from the lineup, despite being 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, and that could pay dividends when the intensity ramps up in the postseason.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Leonardo DiCaprio’s screaming to the top of his lungs.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
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Throughout their time together, Cozart said Travis Decker would scream in the middle of the night, soak the bed and only get one or two hours of sleep.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
Verb
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All due respect to a mature and talented actor, but Jason Schwartzman whines so well.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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At that moment, the brother and sister instantly intensified their whining, looking at one another without a tear in sight.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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There’s no point moaning without offering some kind of solution.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Erik Windsor said fire crews removed a manhole cover in the general area of the storm drain opening, inserted a powerful listening device and heard moaning.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Here, every exposition-heavy line is muttered with the conviction of someone reciting the terms and conditions of an iPhone update.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
27 May 2025
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He is made, late in the show, to feign a seizure in a moment that doesn’t land, and the blocking of his final scene, in which the actor mutters to the ceiling while lying on his back, similarly thuds.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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