Synonyms of growls

growls 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of growl

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

• complains
• screams
• whines
• moans
• mutters
• grumbles
• whimpers
• squeals
• yowls
• kicks
• squawks
• hollers
• murmurs
• cries
• wails
• worries
• grouses
• inveighs
• bleats
• bitches
• nags
• gripes
• caterwauls
• beefs
• croaks
• keens
• yammers
• whinges
• grizzles
• yawps
• crabs
• fusses
• bellyaches
• kvetches
• protests
• grumps
• carps
• repines
• grouches
• kicks up a fuss
• sobs
• maunders
• objects (to)
• quarrels (with)
• laments
• blubbers
• quibbles
• stews
• frets
• bewails
• cavils
• deplores
• bemoans

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delights
• rejoices
• takes
• accepts
• bears
• tolerates
• endures
• crows
• cheers
• applauds
• commends
• countenances

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

• roars
• rumbles
• screams
• cries
• bellows
• thunders
• booms
• shouts
• grumbles
• shrieks
• yells
• screeches
• rolls
• bangs
• howls
• hollers
• blares
• wails
• bawls
• yowls
• blasts
• peals
• whoops
• hoots
• bells
• squalls
• calls
• caterwauls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whispers
• mumbles
• grunts
• mouths
• murmurs
• mutters
• squeaks
• whimpers
• mewls
• pules

3

as in rumbles

to make a low heavy rolling sound

I'm sorry my stomach is growling, but I'm just really hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rumbles
• grumbles
• rolls
• bellows
• drums
• thunders
• lumbers
• booms

growls

2 of 2

noun

plural of growl

as in snarls

Related Words

• snarls
• winces
• flinches
• smirks
• scowls
• grimaces
• squinches
• frowns
• pouts
• sneers
• simpers
• lowers
• mows
• scoffs
• mouths
• stares
• glares
• glowers
• looks
• moues
• rictuses
• faces
• snoots
• mugs

Dissimilar Words

• smiles
• laughs
• grins

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of growls

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