as in guttural
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Recent Examples of growly
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
An Ark loves a list, and though that last one is improved by McKellen’s inimitable growly diction, the onslaught of earnestness starts to wear.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 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
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
An Ark loves a list, and though that last one is improved by McKellen’s inimitable growly diction, the onslaught of earnestness starts to wear.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 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
-
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
-
Not with the gorgeous, guttural Panigale V2.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Born Christopher Anton Rea in Middlesbrough, England, on March 4, 1951, the rock and blues singer was well known for his distinctive gravelly voice and slide guitar playing.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Audiences became enamored by the British alt-pop singer’s raspy voice and relatable lyrics.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Over the years, Arcángel — slim and small in stature but with a powerful, raspy voice — has earned his stature as one of reggaetón’s most influential and enduring artists.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Jan. 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
-
One of them, fist raised to the sky, let out a long yell, the hoarse shout of a gold panner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
November 17, 2025 What To Know During an Oval Office meeting focused primarily on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump sounded hoarse when speaking with reporters and officials.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Nov. 2025
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
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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 23 Feb. 2026.
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