as in guttural
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Recent Examples of growly
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growly
Adjective
-
Not with the gorgeous, guttural Panigale V2.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
At the debut, Kurdi translated the mark by letting out a guttural shout.—
Olivia Giovetti,
Harpers Magazine,
27 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
-
Wild Cards is a crime-solving procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
So did Paul Mescal, previously considered a lock, in best supporting actor for his portrayal of a gruff William Shakespeare.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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In an interview with The Charlotte Observer in his bedroom on Nov. 10, Walker was able to manage just a handful of words at a time between labored breaths, in a weakened, raspy voice.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
2 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
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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
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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
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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
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Something had pulled it out of the tree, breaking off the husky limb on which it was tied.—
William J. McRae,
Outdoor Life,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growly. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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