growling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of growlingnext
as in guttural

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 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
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 Lane’s Willy is both a paternal tyrant and a wounded bear, growling if anyone interrupts him yet unable to conceal his soft underbelly. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 Suddenly all of those wolves appeared to pile on one wolf, and the growling and yipping carried for miles in the still, cold air. — Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
  1. guttural
  2. screaming
  3. roaring
  4. rumbling
  5. hoarse
  6. complaining
  7. growly
  8. whining
Adjective
  • The sounds of a football field are usually guttural and gravelly.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Exploding The Weeknd’s shivery lust with the guttural churn of Deftones, this is toxic codependency music, the perfect soundtrack for Obsession if the movie were more tasteless.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026
Definition of guttural
Verb
  • The ‘Ginger Prince’ also scored the goal which prompted the loudest atmosphere at Old Trafford so far this century, a 25-yard screaming half-volley against Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final second leg, the only goal across both legs.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Dispatchers heard gunshots and screaming on the other end of the line.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of screaming
Verb
  • That kind of challenge will have Elland Road on its feet and roaring.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • There’s nothing stopping you from streaming a roaring fireplace on it for ambiance, though—which is actually an ultra-cozy activity in the winter months.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026
Definition of roaring
Verb
  • More news The Arizona Cardinals and their starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, had been in a rumbling contract dispute in the early days of training camp.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • With a favorable 2026 schedule, donors warming up and quarterback Nico Iamaleava on board, UCLA’s football bandwagon is rumbling back to life.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of rumbling
Adjective
  • When 39 days of elite physical punishment concluded with stadium lights dimming across North America, millions of fans limped away from watch parties with hoarse voices and sore feet.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The other was a tearing beauty, a creature so lovely that one look at her sent young men’s blood pressure skyward and set them to uttering wild, hoarse cries and tearing telephone directories apart with the bare hands.
    — John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
Definition of hoarse
Verb
  • Parents keep complaining to me that their kids are sedentary at school, even though humans need to keep moving throughout the day to be healthy.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of complaining
Adjective
  • And, seriously, what was up with that growly Batman voice?
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
  • And Davis’s integrity puts him at odds with his longtime fence, Money (Nick Nolte, nice and growly as ever), who responds by enlisting the services of Ormon (Barry Keoghan), a platinum-blond thug on a motorcycle.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of growly
Verb
  • The fact that a prominent world leader has been desperately hoping (some might say whining) for a Nobel Peace Prize is not lost on Bang.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Like nails on a chalkboard, whining—an irritating blend of talking and crying—has the ability to make almost any parent either lose their temper or cave.
    — Debby Waldman, Parents, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of whining

Browse Nearby Words

growlers
growling
growls
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Growling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growling. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on growling

Nglish: Translation of growling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All