grubs 1 of 2

Definition of grubsnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grubs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grub

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
Warmer temperatures due to climate change might be affecting grubs, said Fyffe, who is seeing more uncommon arthropods like black widow spiders in Chicago than in past years. Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026 Natural Products Harlow-Ellis says one natural product that helps control grubs is milky spore powder. Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026 The weevil’s young (grubs) eat the roots, turning them into a stinky, liquid mash. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 Lady beetles, fireflies, and wasps prey upon and control common garden pests, such as aphids and grubs. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026 As soil temperatures warm up in spring, the grubs move up towards the soil surface to start feeding on the root zone of plants. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grubs
Noun
  • On the other hand, the nearly $700 billion AI infrastructure build-out has created white-hot demand for skilled laborers.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
  • To win votes from Southern Democrats, Roosevelt had agreed to deny Social Security to agricultural and domestic laborers—excluding a large percentage of Black workers.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Romvari films Sasha’s efforts by combining authentic documentary elements—the adult Sasha’s interviews with real-life psychologists and social workers—and scenes featuring dramatic monologues of a rare poetic sublimity.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • In states that don’t conform to the federal tax changes, workers who receive a federal tax deduction for tips or overtime still will owe state taxes on those earnings.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The rickshaws have become increasingly popular in Sierra Leone, filling the gaps in a strained public transport system as the West African country struggles to recover from its 1991-2002 civil war.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Car launches are generally ghastly events, and this was way down there with the most hideous… and perhaps gave a clue as to why VW struggles to match its huge European sales success in America.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Tips for eating Ethiopian food Tedla strives to find the right balance between authenticity for natives alongside choice for people who are curious but nervous about trying a new food.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The word counterculture generally refers to any movement that strives to achieve ideals counter to those of mainstream society.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While the character details of many of the new cast members are unclear, Oscar nominee Sharon Stone is playing a showrunner whom Lexi (Maude Apatow) works for, according to creator Sam Levinson.
    Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
  • As soft as pajamas yet lovely enough to wear out on the town (or around the ship), the micro modal fabric of these Saint Haven pants drapes elegantly, resists wrinkles, and has a relaxed fit that works equally well at a harbor-side bar or a breezy dinner ashore.
    Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grubs. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

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