as in guttural
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1
as in screaming
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he was growling about how much work he had to do
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of growling
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
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
Robert Lang, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
As Dumars and Byrne, Damon and Affleck are reduced to growling law-enforcement speak, barking into walkie-talkies and carrying out every conversation while at least one hand rests on an automatic weapon—just in case someone bursts through the wall.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Stephen gets all purple-faced and mad, growling that he should have been consulted!
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
How Popcorn Affects Your Stomach When your stomach starts growling between meals, popcorn might be just the thing to alleviate those annoying hunger pangs.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 22 Dec. 2025
Ken Johnson, the homeowner, said Monday that the bear has been growling and hissing, terrifying him and his cat.
—Nbc Los Angeles, NBC news, 2 Dec. 2025
Unflappable, Xhaka has the aura of one who has slipped into comfy slippers and a favourite armchair, at home in the growling adversity faced by a club for whom survival remains the overriding goal.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The bear stood on one rock, growling and snarling at the baying hounds below.
—John McCoy, Outdoor Life, 12 Nov. 2025
In an hour’s span, three trucks leaving the construction site silenced the conversation, growling loudly down Rockland Drive.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
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
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
Verb
Upon entering the foyer, I was greeted by a growling animatronic Chewbacca, playfully adorned with a Christmas hat for the holiday season.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
As Dumars and Byrne, Damon and Affleck are reduced to growling law-enforcement speak, barking into walkie-talkies and carrying out every conversation while at least one hand rests on an automatic weapon—just in case someone bursts through the wall.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Stephen gets all purple-faced and mad, growling that he should have been consulted!
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
How Popcorn Affects Your Stomach When your stomach starts growling between meals, popcorn might be just the thing to alleviate those annoying hunger pangs.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 22 Dec. 2025
Ken Johnson, the homeowner, said Monday that the bear has been growling and hissing, terrifying him and his cat.
—Nbc Los Angeles, NBC news, 2 Dec. 2025
Unflappable, Xhaka has the aura of one who has slipped into comfy slippers and a favourite armchair, at home in the growling adversity faced by a club for whom survival remains the overriding goal.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The bear stood on one rock, growling and snarling at the baying hounds below.
—John McCoy, Outdoor Life, 12 Nov. 2025
In an hour’s span, three trucks leaving the construction site silenced the conversation, growling loudly down Rockland Drive.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
Adjective
-
Not with the gorgeous, guttural Panigale V2.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
At the debut, Kurdi translated the mark by letting out a guttural shout.—
Olivia Giovetti,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
-
An exodus of prosecutors who didn’t care for his staff screaming sessions and boorish press conferences.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With plenty of chairs around the roaring fires, the cookout feels like an embodiment of the ranch itself.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Japan’s box office came roaring back to good health in 2025 — a hopeful indicator for the battered global theatrical business, delivered from what remains the world’s third-largest film market.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bass extension reaches down to a rumbling 5Hz, allowing low-frequency detail to be reproduced cleanly rather than boosted artificially.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Cellos and basses may be rumbling along on a frighteningly low melody, as the woodwinds are pecking like a riot in a chicken coop, while the high strings are sustaining a cluster of odd, disconcerting notes.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
One of them, fist raised to the sky, let out a long yell, the hoarse shout of a gold panner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
November 17, 2025 What To Know During an Oval Office meeting focused primarily on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump sounded hoarse when speaking with reporters and officials.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The complaining witness in the case is Robert Held, a local attorney who has often protested at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in nearby Broadview.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Spousal involvement with an AI is a growing reason for divorce, with partners complaining about the amount of time and money their spouses were spending on their AI relationship.—
Lori Andrews,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
An Ark loves a list, and though that last one is improved by McKellen’s inimitable growly diction, the onslaught of earnestness starts to wear.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Neeson’s a growly delight, while Huston steals most of his scenes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Some had noisy bearings, which could sound like a whining noise.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Illinois Republicans have turned whining into an artform.—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Growling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growling. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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