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
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Zimmerman is in his power-ballad sweet spot, growling about a breakup over a plucky guitar riff.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
In response, Rudolph lets his directorial vision loose here, a giddy cinematic id that displays more imagination and more daring in every cathode tube and every street sign, every growl and every rant, than most Hollywood movies have in their whole run time.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Dogs make a range of noises – from barking to growling and panting – to communicate.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Zimmerman is in his power-ballad sweet spot, growling about a breakup over a plucky guitar riff.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
The sounds of guttural growls and bone-chilling howls will once again echo throughout the pitch-black forest outside a Bavarian village when a new roller coaster with a familiar name and glowing red eyes returns to Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
In response, Rudolph lets his directorial vision loose here, a giddy cinematic id that displays more imagination and more daring in every cathode tube and every street sign, every growl and every rant, than most Hollywood movies have in their whole run time.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
-
Cannon complained to Delta and to the Department of Transportation, which regulates airlines.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
That also prompted a number of customers to complain about the issue on social media.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Before the players even reached the court, the home crowd roared as camera crews displayed the defending champions on the jumbotron.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
-
Every time Dylan picked up a harmonica, the crowd roared.—
Brady Gerber,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
The Vantage Roadster produces less deep, NASCAR rumble, and more the song of a high-revving DTM race car.—
Jonny Lieberman,
Robb Report,
12 May 2025
-
Tens of thousands of patriotic Russians are expected to line the streets, applauding as tanks and intercontinental ballistic missile launchers rumble past.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
More than 100,000 motorists pass through Wheat Ridge, Denver and southwestern Adams County every day on Interstates 70 and 76, often in maddening traffic snarls.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
5 May 2025
-
Traffic snarls are one reason why Hiaasen ultimately returned to eastern Florida.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Downstairs on the fairy-tale terrace, over an exorbitant Scottish cheese board, her mother and husband and sister were all screaming at one another.—
Patricia Lockwood,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
-
Videos posted to social media appear to show the mast of the ship crashing into the bridge just before 8:30 p.m., as passengers and nearby onlookers screamed, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation on the East River for the injured and overboard passengers.—
Alexandra Koch , Alexis McAdams , CB Cotton , Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
In a similar lawsuit launched in March against Trump’s reorganization of the Department of Education, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers whined that Trump’s plan could lead to block grants to the states, some even allowing the money to go for private school vouchers.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2025
-
Many comments on that post feel McIlroy is whining, but that does not seem to be the case.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
But the Francophone descriptor fails to conjure the dust her voice kicks up, the grit and moan that hang in the air after each song.—
Carrie Brownstein,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Having been browbeaten by the negativity of previous coaches Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, having a manager who didn't dismiss the idea the team could be title challengers or moan about a lack of talent was refreshing.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Victoria barely muttered a word to Kate, who approached the Ratliffs during a meal, making the exchange extra awkward.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share