grubs 1 of 2

noun

plural of grub
as in laborers
a person who does very hard or dull work you may have to spend some time working as a grub before challenging work comes your way

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grubs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grub
as in labors
to devote serious and sustained effort grubbing away at the yard work before the first snow of the season

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grubs
Noun
Their larvae, called grubs, often feast on the organic matter in compost. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 They are considered beneficial insects that pollinate flowers and prey on grubs and beetles. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Their diet consists primarily of insects and other soil-dwelling creatures, including earthworms and grubs. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026 The presence of grubs indicates that the ecosystem is out of balance, says Brian Daubenspeck, a farmer and mentor at The Soil Food Web School. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 Japanese beetles suddenly emerge mid-summer as the grubs become adults. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Many birds subsist on bugs, including grubs, earthworms, and flying insects. — The Spruce, 5 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grubs
  1. laborers
  2. labors
  3. workers
  4. struggles
  5. strives
  6. works
  7. slaves
Noun
  • This was followed by the establishment of regional rural banks starting in 1975, with the aim of lending to financially weaker rural groups, including marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, and small entrepreneurs.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • My beloved barn jacket dates back to 19th-century France—referred to as a chore coat or bleu de travail—where it was worn among farmers and laborers who relied on its tough, moleskin fabric to get them through fieldwork.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of laborers
Verb
  • Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of labors
Noun
  • The early harvest also poses logistical challenges in a region where grapes are traditionally picked by hand, with some workers still on summer vacation and others facing transportation delays.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Cities and smaller communities across the country are competing for remote workers with thousands of dollars in cash, housing assistance, coworking memberships, and other perks designed to make relocating a little easier.
    — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of workers
Verb
  • Don’t wait until a leader is tapped on the shoulder to take a top job only to realize the leader struggles with collaboration or lacks executive presence.
    — Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Only the collision between Manette, Darnay and Carton unleashes a complex love triangle as both men fight for her love and Manette struggles over whom to choose.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • First Tee is a youth development organization that strives to building strength of character in kids using the game of golf.
    — Zach Schenfisch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The proposal to redevelop Corporate Woods comes at a time when the city strives to transform the area into a more walkable and vibrant space for residents, workers and visitors.
    — Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of strives
Verb
  • The spa is intimate rather than sprawling, but the combination of treatments, nail bar, gym, and quiet pool deck works well for a restorative stay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nina Smith, a former Buttigieg adviser who now works closely with progressive causes, disagreed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of works
Verb
  • Things are equally akilter in his family’s home, with his mother now sitting on the couch watching TV while his father slaves away in the kitchen.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Definition of slaves

Browse Nearby Words

grubby
grubs
grubs (about)
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Cite this Entry

“Grubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grubs. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grubs for Spanish Speakers

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