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
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Come on, the gunman growled, turning and walking and beckoning with the pistol for Adi to follow.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Expect the never-ending guitar solos and monstrous growling members Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion are known for—plus one sprawling, 14-minute track featuring Marty Friedman.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Come on, the gunman growled, turning and walking and beckoning with the pistol for Adi to follow.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Wolf’s voice, a bone-rattling growl, is his greatest legacy.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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Eleven years later, Ajo resident Bill Eltzroth complained to the county and ADEQ that the facility’s operations coated his back porch in thick black dust.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
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Unimpressed watchers took to social to complain.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The command also released images of Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as F-18 and F-35 fighter jets roaring into combat, according to Reuters.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Some 12 hours later, sirens sounded again as two Typhoon fighter jets and a pair of F-35 warplanes roared into the air.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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No procession of tanks, no towering intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), no hypersonic glide vehicles, no transporter-erector-launchers rumbling past the cameras.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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Things rumble and explode — things that aren’t even breasts!—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the scope of the IEEPA tariffs was so massive (to date, CBP and administration officials estimate IEEPA revenue rings in at up to $175 billion) that the process is bound to hit some snarls.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Feb. 2026
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Advertisement The event was widely criticized for what many said was its chaotic organization, including widespread road closures for VIP motorcades that caused traffic snarls across the city.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The immaculate slouchiness of this pullover screams spring in the best way, especially when paired with a denim skirt or barrel jeans.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
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Hallways filled with screaming kids?—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After months and months of ceaseless whining about the doxxing of ICE agents, there hasn’t been a single peep from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the future of facial recognition in Meta glasses.—
Sarah Jeong,
The Verge,
1 Mar. 2026
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The engine whine increases again, and the helicopter flies off, spraying us with fine powder.—
Brent Rose,
Outside,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
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Passersby hear its shrieks and moans from the road.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
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Then, while there was still enough light to see them plainly, the two came stalking out of the brush, growling and muttering.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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