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
Relevance
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
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 growls
Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
China holds Tibet without noticeable bother, commits crimes against its Uyghur Muslim minority with impunity, launches acts of aggression against its neighbors in the South China Sea, and growls off any court or tribunal that looks askance—which few do.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
And as the person behind the camera approaches the pit bull, the dog growls and barks while standing in a fearful crouch.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Sturridge crows and growls his lines, rolling his torso and crouching to crawl on his knuckles like a young silverback.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
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
Verb
Griffith growls Griffith could be in position to win its first Greater South Shore Conference title since 2018.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
China holds Tibet without noticeable bother, commits crimes against its Uyghur Muslim minority with impunity, launches acts of aggression against its neighbors in the South China Sea, and growls off any court or tribunal that looks askance—which few do.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
And as the person behind the camera approaches the pit bull, the dog growls and barks while standing in a fearful crouch.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Sturridge crows and growls his lines, rolling his torso and crouching to crawl on his knuckles like a young silverback.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growls
Verb
-
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
-
Nobody visiting a nuclear facility complains about the onerous security features.—
Juliette Kayyem,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the Old Trafford crowd roars, while Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada hug in the directors’ box.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
Keep an eye on the sky and be ready to move indoors if thunder roars.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Inside the nearly empty Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA last Monday afternoon, the air rumbles and judders and roars like a B-52 engine readying for takeoff.—
Erik Pedersen,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The first one arrives after 10 this evening and will bring rain, and some storm rumbles to our area.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And when jet lag snarls your normal rest pattern, the window views and a cup of traditional Chinese tea awaiting each guest’s arrival become a pleasant distraction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Locals going to the matches are advised to use public transportation if possible, not only to avoid paying for parking but also to avoid traffic snarls around the stadium.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
With Chapman, the issue screams at you louder than the thumping, center field speakers in Chavez Ravine.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
One morning in 2013, before the sun had risen, Hiba and Ibrahim heard gunshots and screams.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The caterer’s dead daughter, Marketa, is sung by Vilma Jää, an ethno-pop performer whose forays into Finnish folk techniques have her slinging her voice up into thrillingly high engine-whines.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
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 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
