1
as in complains
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 roars
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
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Recent Examples of growls
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Go grab your passport, a wad of bail money, and enough thirst for wine that growls at history and food that tastes like the ocean punched you in the mouth.
—John Noakes, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
They are known to work in teams when hunting, and communicate with chirps, growls, whistles and body language.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Go grab your passport, a wad of bail money, and enough thirst for wine that growls at history and food that tastes like the ocean punched you in the mouth.
—John Noakes, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growls
Verb
-
The President reportedly watches hours of cable news every day, and frequently complains about coverage in real time.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
-
There has been a consistent pattern with Florida football where a group of Gators fans complains about the current head coach, sportswriters mock them for having unrealistic expectations, and then those fans turn out to be totally correct.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Apple Music anchor Ebro Darden takes the stage, DJ D-Nice drops down the volume and Carey and SZA take the stage to roars from the rabid fans in the audience, who have been waiting outside all afternoon.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
-
When thunder roars, go indoors!—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the mall’s free Rain Show feature, water literally pours out of the ceiling as dramatic thunder rumbles.—
Alex Schechter,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Aug. 2025
-
When a military convoy rumbles past, no one seems to notice.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The result has been a seemingly endless run of East Washington Street roadwork and traffic snarls from Alabama Street downtown to I-465.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
-
There was talk of traffic snarls and strain on the power grid.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Violet Florence Floral Throw Pillow A few extra throw pillows are a must during the fall season—and nothing screams autumn like botanical accents.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Focusing solely on the weak link generated screams that delighted the whole pack of friends and family.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growls. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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