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
Under Mulch Squash bugs, slugs, snails, and various sorts of grubs prefer cozier hiding places like the thick layers of mulch spread throughout your garden. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026 These are bugs that feed on grubs and other insects during both their larval and adult stages, says Zaber. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 Oct. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grubs
  1. laborers
  2. labors
  3. workers
  4. struggles
  5. strives
  6. works
  7. slaves
Noun
  • The chore jacket became a signature style of one Harry Styles, who has long been a champion of the humble bleu de travail, the blue cotton work jacket originally worn by French laborers.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The whole system is essentially policed by the Department of Labor to ensure that foreign workers don't undercut domestic laborers.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of laborers
Verb
  • Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of labors
Noun
  • Parks workers who don't comply with the new policy could face discipline, officials said, adding, the policy also instructs them to not engage in any verbal or physical altercations with ICE agents.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • People who earn at least 50,000 pounds ($67,000) a year will only have to wait five years, as will public-sector workers including doctors, nurses and teachers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of workers
Verb
  • Content produced entirely by AI often struggles to build the trust and loyalty that keep customers coming back.
    — Kylie Slavik, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Eight wage claims alleged unpaid wages, delayed tips, bounced checks and struggles with accessing payroll records, the outlet reported.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • But the reason for this rather ugly framing device is that the team strives to educate the masses in the art of bankrobbing at the expense of being caught.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
  • UConn Women’s Basketball is proud to play in our Basketball is for Everyone Pride game and strives for a culture of inclusion and equity.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of strives
Verb
  • Ly, who works the graveyard shift as a corporal, said the crash happened in the early morning hours following a busy Halloween night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Duncan is uniquely positioned to comment on the idea of testing out a CVI program that works with at-risk CPS schools.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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