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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of growl
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
The raw power of his voice overwhelmed the space, alternating between a feminine falsetto and masculine growl—often within the same song.
—Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The scene’s amniotic shoppe Muzak is suddenly overridden by a deep, growling synth.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
The raw power of his voice overwhelmed the space, alternating between a feminine falsetto and masculine growl—often within the same song.
—Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Video footage recorded by their owner Macie Lamb shows two pups, Ace and Tango growling at a decorative object that resembles a small ceramic dog wearing a ghost costume while holding a pumpkin in its mouth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The scene’s amniotic shoppe Muzak is suddenly overridden by a deep, growling synth.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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Jiang and his colleagues complain over video chat about their bland meals, but the people who produce, prepare and deliver the food remain invisible.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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Yost and others who opposed the sale of books from the library complained that HUC should not sell part of its collection to ease its financial problems.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mergers-and-acquisitions activity globally is roaring back to life, with several megadeals in the third quarter building on momentum from earlier this year.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
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From there, the roaring party becomes a raging nightmare.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hernández’s poor route on Realmuto’s gapper allowed the Phillies catcher to rumble all the way to third base, setting up the ensuing sacrifice fly.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Then, things got exciting for the large home crowd when Bell’s Aiese Poese picked off a pass and rumbled down the Northwest 17-yard line.—
Pat Wheeler,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The result has been a seemingly endless run of East Washington Street roadwork and traffic snarls from Alabama Street downtown to I-465.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
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There was talk of traffic snarls and strain on the power grid.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the Target employees announced the launch, the fans screamed and were called up to the counter one by one.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Many of the people opining and whining about how this moment could be as bad or worse than the 2000 bust are uninformed or ahistorical.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
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The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The deputies ultimately roll him over before putting on handcuffs as Mull can be heard moaning in pain.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
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The recognizable munchies didn't stop the cast members from moaning, groaning and throwing up as usual.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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