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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in guttural
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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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
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
This mobile bar crisscrosses the room’s checkerboard floor with the growling rumble of a subway train.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
The Mariners took both games started by Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ growling ace who lost twice to Seattle in the regular season, too.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The bear pulled up at 25 yards, then stood, swinging its head from side to side and growling.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Some hissing or growling is normal, but separate them if aggression escalates.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
This mobile bar crisscrosses the room’s checkerboard floor with the growling rumble of a subway train.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
The Mariners took both games started by Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ growling ace who lost twice to Seattle in the regular season, too.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The bear pulled up at 25 yards, then stood, swinging its head from side to side and growling.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
Verb
-
Obviously, there is a bird on the hood, the screaming chicken.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Pointed gestures toward the lingering tension between Japan and Korea — and between those two countries and the rest of the planet — are drowned out by tiresome bickering and exaggerated gags, like a meaningful conversation swallowed into the sound of an airplane engine screaming overhead.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With the home crowd roaring, Smith was hit in the backfield but bounced off a tackle attempt and converted.—
Matt Jones,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
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Luckily, this year, the Lions are off to a roaring start with a 4–2 record.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Thousands stomped in the bleachers, creating rumbling waves of adoration.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
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Apple’s promotional video for the iPhone 17 Pro is super loud and rumbling the floor.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Imagine a city street at dusk, silent save for the rising sound of a collective guttural moan.—
Tom Duszynski,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
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The mangrove forests resounded with birdsong: the high trill of swallows and the guttural croak of snail kites.—
Simon Willis,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Foulla Niotis says her 17-year-old daughter, Maria, and Maria's best friend, Isabella Salas, were run down and killed by Maria's stalker despite months of complaining to police.—
Eric Shawn,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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For Gen Z, complaining can be a way to set boundaries, speak up, and try to hold companies accountable.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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 floor buffers come out, whining like jet engines in the hallways, erasing over a month’s worth of shoe scuffs that made the place look like the dasher boards at the hockey rink.—
Mark Glende,
Twin Cities,
15 Oct. 2025
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While there is anecdotal evidence that suggests dogs display addictive-like behaviors towards their toys, such as whining if a toy is out of reach or playing despite being injured, this study put it to the test.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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 24 Oct. 2025.
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