WALLOWING Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

wallowing

verb

present participle of wallow

as in reveling

to completely give (oneself) over to something (such as an emotion) After being laid off, he spent much of his time wallowing in self-pity. They wallowed in all the indulgences provided by the resort.

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as in shuffling

to roll around in an ungainly manner We saw a herd of cattle wallowing in the marsh.

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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 wallowing The slough was wallowing with carp. — Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 She isn’t being morbid or wallowing in sadness; she’s inspired by a practice in Bhutan aimed at cultivating happiness and reducing anxiety about mortality — by thinking about death five times a day. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 May 2026 Most like to be clean, although wallowing in the mud does help keep them cool and protected from insects and the sun. — Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026 The 40-foot-long internet phenomenon had been wallowing in shallow waters near Germany since March. — Alana Wise, NPR, 2 May 2026 Recent polls show Villaraigosa, 73, wallowing at the bottom of the field, though none of the major Democratic candidates have an overwhelming edge. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 Reveling or wallowing in either part of the game only slows the process. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 But no, Tommy will not be moved, wallowing in grief for his young daughter and tormented by the death of his brother Arthur, ostensibly a suicide. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026 In a broader sense, your relationships can also keep you from wallowing in your struggles. — Erica Sloan, SELF, 19 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wallowing

Verb

The Dodgers’ come-from-behind win in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series clinched a series victory over the Yankees and produced the prevailing image of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and their teammates reveling on the Yankee Stadium diamond.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
When the Black Queen’s message arrives in the Riverlands, the king consort, lil’ Oscar Tully, and their new pal Roddy the Ruin are busy reveling, making up ballads dedicated to their own derring-do.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Definition of reveling

Verb

Burke piles fascinating shuffling sounds on top, invoking a quiet scuffle, maybe some cardboard boxes being knocked over in a storage space.

— Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
The Chicago Cubs have been shuffling the lower levels of their organization ahead of the trade deadline, looking to recapture some strong momentum from the beginning of the season to help drive a playoff push in the second half.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

The Toronto Blue Jays entered this season basking in the glow of a World Series run.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 15 July 2026
By the end of the night, the room full of sweaty bodies was left basking in the gift of Madonna, feeling just one small sliver of a wider moment that has gone on to completely transcend conventional pop expectation.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of basking

Verb

Her family has been struggling after her husband lost his job as a motorcycle rider and crossed the border into neighboring Niger to look for work.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
But he was lifted in the fourth inning, forcing Kotsay toward the team’s struggling bullpen earlier than expected.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026