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
Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
Stalking Lincoln Center in a pair of combat boots, Cheyenne speaks her mind in a low growl, fires every male dance partner NYMB artistic director Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby) has to offer, and sleeps with her new collaborator on Jack’s couch.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Their reactions can range from growling and biting to a simple look and slight baring of teeth, an article from the Preventive Vet stated.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
One witness tried to give him a life preserver, and another tried to speak with him but received a growl in response, according to the sheriff.
—Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
Stalking Lincoln Center in a pair of combat boots, Cheyenne speaks her mind in a low growl, fires every male dance partner NYMB artistic director Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby) has to offer, and sleeps with her new collaborator on Jack’s couch.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Noun
Outside, in the sweltering Manhattan evening, stomachs growled.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Their reactions can range from growling and biting to a simple look and slight baring of teeth, an article from the Preventive Vet stated.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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A number of Tesla shareholders, including some Democrats who oversee the investment of public sector pension fund money in Tesla stock, complained in May to Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm that Musk’s other activities are hurting the company.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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Trump has complained about the EU's $231 billion trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more goods from European businesses than the other way around.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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In response to the roaring fans, the singer made sure to put them front and center.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
29 July 2025
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The highlight was a 540-foot rocket, on June 5, 1967, that roared over the most distant sign atop the roof of Philadelphia’s old Connie Mack Stadium in the deepest part of left-center field.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
27 July 2025
Verb
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The short clip shows a dog hesitating at the foot of a staircase, visibly fearful of a thunderstorm rumbling outside.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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So, what goes down when that tummy starts to rumble?—
Kade Krichko,
Outside Online,
22 July 2025
Noun
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The single, meanwhile, is ushered in with a gripping bass line and an undercurrent of keyboards until Osbourne makes his grand vocal entrance, all sneers and snarls.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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From her audacious breakout piece Propped (1992) –a self-portrait that snarls at convention—to her recent abstract experiments, the show underscores Saville’s ability to oscillate between flesh and feeling.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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After continuing to chase the cat, Ozzy delivers his most iconic line from the show: simply screaming Sharon's name.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
28 July 2025
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On a warm day July 11, Caroline Flynn and her young children were in a South Boston park near their home for a birthday party when her 4-year-old ran out of a play area without shoes on and screamed.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Supercharger whine simply never gets old, and after burning through over half a tank of gas in one sitting, coolant temps never got anywhere near concerning.—
Peter Nelson,
ArsTechnica,
1 Aug. 2025
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Even in the quietest mode with valving closed down, the engine and exhaust and supercharger whine go barking mad with the lightest blip of throttle, making the temptation to heel-toe through every downshift almost inescapable.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Now-tired 2010 fads that Lorde pioneered, including bittersweet tropical-pop textures and moaning vocal snippets, are everywhere.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
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After one season, he was forcefully rejected by the community, which moaned to the press (and the local police) that the tranquil pondside inn was becoming a celebrity- and influencer-infested late-night party spot just like his club in the city.—
Brock Colyar,
Curbed,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Before immediately snapping, sighing loudly, or muttering a passive-aggressive comment, try pausing to consider what else might be going on first: Maybe your barista’s slammed with 10 other complicated orders, for instance, or your housemate had a brutal week at work.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
17 June 2025
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McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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