as in guttural
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Recent Examples of growly
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
The song eventually rises to a joyous riot of guitar, drums, saxophone and keyboards more than five minutes in, building to a pair of joyous peaks as Jagger and Gaga get entangled in a growly soul shout-off.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2023
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
The combination of a growly engine and high-feedback suspension gives the car a gritty, mechanical feel that holds promise for the fan of the driving art.
—Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 24 June 2023
Considering that in the summer Mr. Zeldin had been attacked on stage by a critic armed with a keychain weapon, and that a few weeks ago his twin daughters were at risk from bullets shot into a fence beside their home, growly and grim is more normal than purring and cheery.
—WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022
The all-new, gorgeous Z roared our way this summer, bringing with it loads of growly fun, 400 horses under the hood and ready to take on all comers in its (reasonable) price range of $41,015.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
There, into the early hours of Monday morning, Lula spoke, and sometimes wept, in a voice that had turned alternately hoarse and growly with age and raw emotion.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2022
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
The song eventually rises to a joyous riot of guitar, drums, saxophone and keyboards more than five minutes in, building to a pair of joyous peaks as Jagger and Gaga get entangled in a growly soul shout-off.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2023
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
The combination of a growly engine and high-feedback suspension gives the car a gritty, mechanical feel that holds promise for the fan of the driving art.
—Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 24 June 2023
Considering that in the summer Mr. Zeldin had been attacked on stage by a critic armed with a keychain weapon, and that a few weeks ago his twin daughters were at risk from bullets shot into a fence beside their home, growly and grim is more normal than purring and cheery.
—WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022
The all-new, gorgeous Z roared our way this summer, bringing with it loads of growly fun, 400 horses under the hood and ready to take on all comers in its (reasonable) price range of $41,015.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
There, into the early hours of Monday morning, Lula spoke, and sometimes wept, in a voice that had turned alternately hoarse and growly with age and raw emotion.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growly
Adjective
-
Gliding between sublime melodies and grimy, guttural dissonance, the record is cinematic in its acoustic grandeur and intimate in its inspection – à la Mitski and Anohni and the Johnsons.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
-
Evocatively turning deep, electronic guttural sounds into something that resembled human speech.—
Amir Husain,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
My new favourite spot nearby was a long, sunken garden, complete with stone fountains, a gravelly terrace, and grand staircases sprawling down from street level.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Goldberg said one recent afternoon, in her gravelly voice.—
André Wheeler,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While Hornets fans were not as gruff as New York Knicks or Boston Celtics supporters, Charlotte pro basketball fans were among the leaders who posted a specific swear word.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
-
Paul is lovable but gruff, while Jimmy is lost and a bit broken after having lost his wife in a drunk driving accident.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
In the new TikTok, Siwa shows Hughes the video, which caught flack from haters for her raspy voice and unabashed confidence.—
Jack Irvin,
People.com,
5 June 2025
-
With his almost 7-foot stature, visible skin lesions, heavy cloak, raspy voice, and big ol' broom mustache, the actor is virtually unrecognizable in the film's final cut.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Kendrick responds to that feedback on the album version, which trades his smooth vocals on the single version for a throatier delivery and cuts off the third verse for a clunky and misinformed skit about the etymology of the N-word.—
Stephen Kearse,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 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
-
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
-
The world's complex environmental issues demand open minds, fresh perspectives, and less growling.—
Keith Kloor,
Discover Magazine,
22 June 2012
Adjective
-
In a hoarse voice, Wayne almost steals Tupac’s classic out from under him.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
-
Biden's response is marked by long pauses, and his voice appears hoarse at times.—
Ryan Sprouse,
CBS News,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive!—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
-
Fred Clemens, the lodge owner, told us that a few big bass had been caught in Grassy Bay, also some husky channel cats running to 12 pounds.—
Don Shiner,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growly. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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