as in guttural
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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
Evolution wired us to fear snakes, spiders, big growly beasts—not guns, not nuclear bombs, not climate change, not AIs.
—Kc Cole, WIRED, 14 July 2023
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
Evolution wired us to fear snakes, spiders, big growly beasts—not guns, not nuclear bombs, not climate change, not AIs.
—Kc Cole, WIRED, 14 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growly
Adjective
-
Once Ida is revived, Buckley is rife with tics and guttural asides, switching between rat-a-tat mobster slang and Shelley’s flowery English prose like some postmodern literary Gollum.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The scene ends with Lindo breaking into a guttural humming and drumming, expressing pain that transcends words.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 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 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
-
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 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
-
Audiences became enamored by the British alt-pop singer’s raspy voice and relatable lyrics.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
2 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
-
His own voice sounds hoarse and nasty to him, the voice of a gloomy oracle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Her voice was hoarse, her schedule packed.—
Karen Brooks Harper
Austin Bureau,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The team can help plan reindeer and husky rides, reindeer farm visits, snowmobiles tours across the area’s fells and taiga forests, or Aurora-chasing tours, guided by local experts.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growly. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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