Synonyms of growling

growling 1 of 2

adjective

as in guttural

Related Words

• guttural
• hoarse
• growly
• husky
• raspy
• gruff
• gravelly
• throaty
• scratching
• scraping
• scratchy
• rusty
• gravel
• rasping
• grating
• grinding
• croaky
• coarse
• abrasive
• croaking
• strident
• jarring
• cacophonous
• discordant
• raucous
• screeching
• squawking
• choked
• cawing
• strained
• rough
• cracked
• dissonant
• strangled
• unmusical
• inharmonious
• unmelodious

Dissimilar Words

• sweet
• gentle
• liquid
• soothing
• mellow
• golden
• mellifluous
• tender
• soft
• smooth
• velvety
• gliding
• silken
• musical
• mellifluent
• melodic
• satiny
• melodious
• lyrical
• lyric
• euphonious

growling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of growl

1

as in screaming

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

he was growling about how much work he had to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• screaming
• complaining
• whining
• moaning
• muttering
• whimpering
• grumbling
• squealing
• kicking
• yowling
• hollering
• squawking
• wailing
• worrying
• murmuring
• crying
• bitching
• yammering
• nagging
• grousing
• inveighing
• keening
• bleating
• griping
• beefing
• caterwauling
• yawping
• carping
• repining
• croaking
• whinging
• grizzling
• grouching
• fussing
• grumping
• crabbing
• bellyaching
• protesting
• kvetching
• kicking up a fuss
• sobbing
• maundering
• quarreling (with)
• objecting (to)
• quibbling
• stewing
• blubbering
• fretting
• lamenting
• caviling
• deploring
• bewailing
• bemoaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• delighting
• taking
• accepting
• bearing
• tolerating
• enduring
• crowing
• cheering
• applauding
• commending
• countenancing

2

as in roaring

to make a long loud deep noise or cry

the neighbor's dog growls every time we pass the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• roaring
• rumbling
• screaming
• bellowing
• crying
• thundering
• booming
• shouting
• grumbling
• yelling
• shrieking
• screeching
• banging
• rolling
• howling
• squalling
• blaring
• hollering
• wailing
• blasting
• bawling
• whooping
• hooting
• pealing
• yowling
• calling
• caterwauling
• belling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whispering
• grunting
• muttering
• mumbling
• murmuring
• mouthing
• whimpering
• squeaking
• mewling
• puling

3

as in rumbling

to make a low heavy rolling sound

I'm sorry my stomach is growling, but I'm just really hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rumbling
• grumbling
• rolling
• drumming
• bellowing
• thundering
• lumbering
• booming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of growling

Adjective

Any growling or negative reactions shouldn’t be punished, as the dog is just showing their unhappiness. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

Sometimes animatronic and growling, sometimes staring out dead-eyed, classic and static. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2022

Under this gesturing, growling, fiery sprite of a dude, the team is sturdier, more focused, playing harder, playing smarter. — Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2021

Getty Images / AndreyPopov) Going to bed with a growling stomach isn’t great, either. — Lindsey Vickers, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2020

But be mindful of the wind, which can turn Lyon Oaks into a growling beast. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 2019

Who can forget the wonder embedded in gifts of ribbon candy, or the crackling fat of the roasted pig that signaled abundance and the passing of years, or the growling hunger of a long winter? — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 25 May 2018

The world's complex environmental issues demand open minds, fresh perspectives, and less growling. — Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2012

Verb

Dogs and cats may be triggered by this distinctive smell and show unusual behavior when skunks are nearby, such as sniffing or pawing the dirt around the burrow or becoming more protective by growling or hovering near the entrance. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026

Video captured from the drone’s perspective and released on Facebook, shows the frustrated bobcat standing by a staircase, growling and arching its back at the hovering machine. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

As Koji’s character is thrust into a cage at an underground prison brawl, Momoa’s Blanka can be heard growling off screen. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026

This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026

Could the growling creature be responsible for the gouges by Zampanò’s dead body? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026

The big question is whether people who pay hundreds of thousands of euros for growling gas-guzzlers will also shell out for electric versions. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Or any of the Republican gym bros peddling supplements online and growling lifestyle advice into webcams. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

At that point, your stomach has probably been growling for a good hour, so answer that call with some tacos at Taqueria Rosita. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026