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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in roaring
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
as in guttural
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of growling
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 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
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2025
Food insecurity doesn’t necessarily mean kids are going to bed with growling stomachs every night.
—Oona Hanson, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Island of isolation Our cruise, part of the San Francisco CityPASS, pulled out from Pier 33, engines growling, slicing through waters once crossed by gold-seekers and prison ferries.
—Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
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
The growling bear took several aggressive steps toward Buoy but then dumped the chase.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Night terrors might lead to thrashing limbs, growling, or biting.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the clip, the animals tussle on a bed, Moose making playful growling noises as he and Peach play-fight, Moose using his mouth and Peach giving it all with his paws.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 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
Adjective
Hawke returns too, grumbling and growling behind a rubber mask (and, eventually, some grisly prosthetics).
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2025
Food insecurity doesn’t necessarily mean kids are going to bed with growling stomachs every night.
—Oona Hanson, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Island of isolation Our cruise, part of the San Francisco CityPASS, pulled out from Pier 33, engines growling, slicing through waters once crossed by gold-seekers and prison ferries.
—Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
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
The growling bear took several aggressive steps toward Buoy but then dumped the chase.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Night terrors might lead to thrashing limbs, growling, or biting.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
Verb
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Now, Darvish will get to pitch in front of a stadium of screaming, hopeful, nervous Cubs fans.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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There’s screaming electric guitar AND an orchestra.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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First, Hurricane Humberto is roaring out in the Atlantic Ocean as a major hurricane.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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But just a minute or so later, the Golden Knights fans were roaring again.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thousands stomped in the bleachers, creating rumbling waves of adoration.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Apple’s promotional video for the iPhone 17 Pro is super loud and rumbling the floor.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bronze hammered the ball into the back of the net and let out a guttural roar.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Glenn Close lets out a guttural scream in the Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery teaser trailer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In April, 44-year-old Marie Ange Blaise, a Haitian, died while being held at GEO’s Pompano Beach facility after complaining of chest pains.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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My question is how to get the most out of this reunion without sitting around rehashing old issues/resentments and complaining about our parents, especially our mother.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Give Palestine your voice, and when your voice goes hoarse, hang your flags, wear your keffiyeh.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
18 Sep. 2025
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And when your voice goes hoarse, hang your flags, wear your keffiyeh.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Neeson’s a growly delight, while Huston steals most of his scenes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
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There’s even a ragged guitar solo and some growly vocals that reveal Rivers Cuomo’s heavy-metal roots.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Growling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growling. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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