as in guttural
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
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
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
But the innocent visit turns ugly when Alice keeps growling at a wall.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Customers miss the growling revving of gas vehicles with noisy internal combustion engines, the CEO noted.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Expect the never-ending guitar solos and monstrous growling members Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion are known for—plus one sprawling, 14-minute track featuring Marty Friedman.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
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
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
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
But the innocent visit turns ugly when Alice keeps growling at a wall.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Customers miss the growling revving of gas vehicles with noisy internal combustion engines, the CEO noted.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Expect the never-ending guitar solos and monstrous growling members Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion are known for—plus one sprawling, 14-minute track featuring Marty Friedman.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
Adjective
-
But though Marcloid has continued to refine her extravagant, gonzo, and lurid sound—the blast beats and guttural shrieks slot into the Tupperware synths and call-waiting arpeggios with more supple flexibility than ever before—Lavender Networks is still far from commercial.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
-
Resident colobus monkeys’ distinctly guttural roars serve as singular natural alarms at daybreak, when an inspired array of adventures await.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
On the night that everything changed, one of them would end the night screaming, and the other, in my opinion, didn't scream enough.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Dramatic doorbell camera video shows the moment the man ran out of her home, and Cooper can be heard screaming in the background.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Liddell stood for the first time on a walkway next the the roaring water of the Blue Island Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Friday, just after city and state officials and advocates unveiled accessibility improvements to the station that is also a community green space.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The Lakers momentarily came roaring back in the fourth quarter behind a James layup and three-pointer, going on a 7-0 run to pull within six points early in the quarter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The classroom was noisy as well as overheated, with the rumbling boiler, directly beneath them, kicking in.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The Fever’s home faithful will welcome Clark’s return from injury with a rumbling adoration.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
His usually peppy voice is hoarse.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
James’ reasoning had nothing to do with having a hoarse voice at the end of practice.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There have been 72 police reports filed in the past three months alone, complaining that mailed checks have been stolen and washed by criminals who are cashing them for tens of thousands of dollars.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
While there are some athletes complaining about representing the United States on a global stage, the hockey players have embraced being proud of wearing the red, white and blue.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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
Verb
-
Last week, the whining noise of unmanned flying objects could be heard in the city of Moscow once again.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
Luke's demise and Boyega's whining about the Black stormtrooper weren't the only reasons Disney's three movies failed.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Growling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growling. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
