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
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
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 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
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
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 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
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Out of innumerable likely topics, Maher complains about folks who defend cats.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
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At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Where their debut roars, jabbing with hooks, Two Wheels Move the Soul instead inverts the noise until the sound becomes pillowy and comforting.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd roars, and phones record the seconds-long interaction, which then invariably is shared on social media.—
Alexandra Starr,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
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The whole mountain rumbles when an avalanche rolls off it.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Visiting is free, and public transit is recommended due to the traffic snarls along the National Mall (especially on the weekend).—
Adele Chapin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
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As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On these tracks Slayyyter uses her voice as a much blunter instrument than before, paring back the melisma and amping up the chants, barks, and outright screams.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
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Playful, candy-colored, and instantly recognizable, the print screams Y2K princess energy, with endless variations to match.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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 8 Apr. 2026.
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