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Recent Examples of growly
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
For those of us who prefer some spice, Adrian R. Hale writes spicy contemporary romances featuring growly, morally gray alphahole grumps, and sweet cinnamon rolls who know how to take care of you.
—Meg Miller, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Neeson’s a growly delight, while Huston steals most of his scenes.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 30 July 2025
There’s even a ragged guitar solo and some growly vocals that reveal Rivers Cuomo’s heavy-metal roots.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024
So Swims seems to be benefiting from an overall mainstreaming of growly country voices (looking at you, Chris Stapleton and Zach Bryan) and bringing it into the pop space.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024
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
For those of us who prefer some spice, Adrian R. Hale writes spicy contemporary romances featuring growly, morally gray alphahole grumps, and sweet cinnamon rolls who know how to take care of you.
—Meg Miller, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Neeson’s a growly delight, while Huston steals most of his scenes.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 30 July 2025
There’s even a ragged guitar solo and some growly vocals that reveal Rivers Cuomo’s heavy-metal roots.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024
So Swims seems to be benefiting from an overall mainstreaming of growly country voices (looking at you, Chris Stapleton and Zach Bryan) and bringing it into the pop space.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growly
Adjective
-
Everyone has their own lifting style — some channel anger and let out a guttural yell before touching the bar, others are into showmanship and encourage the crowd’s applause — but mine, while focused, is all smiles.—
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But the scene in Chloe Zhao’s movie (yet another spoiler alert) that pushes audiences to reach for tissues is not the guttural devastation of a child dying.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This Mediterranean herb likes the heat but not the humidity, so make certain to plant it in full sun in sandy or gravelly soil.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Liam Neeson puts on his best gravelly voice to play Jack Drebin, the son of Leslie Nielsen’s Frank; Pamela Anderson has fun as his femme fatale; and Danny Huston is the Musk-like villain.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In pansori, a vocalist delivers an epic tale by chanting in a raspy, guttural voice while accompanied by a drummer.—
Regina Kim,
Vanity Fair,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Whether verbally snapping back at another raspy blow from Martha or whiningly sizing up and probing Nick as a professional and personal threat or just wheedling himself about the difficulties life has led him, Vaughn’s physical carriage is a venomous underdog on the go.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Boz is at a photo shoot, giving her best smile and her throatiest laugh.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Dec. 2025
-
The instrumentation on the album is a gleaming and impenetrable expanse, and the main attraction is Lipa, whose voice is strong and occasionally throaty.—
Amanda Petrusich,
The New Yorker,
3 May 2024
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
Adjective
-
As her own doppelgänger, Red, Nyong'o is as terrifying as Adelaide is terrified, speaking with a distinctive, hoarse voice that sends a chill up your spine.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Tears have been shed, throats have been screamed hoarse.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Several husky owners echoed how quickly the screams can escalate.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One such pet, Lainey, a husky shepherd, was found after going missing in Arizona with the help of a neighbor's Ring camera.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Growly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growly. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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