1
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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2
as in shuffling
to roll around in an ungainly manner
We saw a herd of cattle wallowing in the marsh.
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Recent Examples of wallowing
The 40-foot-long internet phenomenon had been wallowing in shallow waters near Germany since March.
—
Alana Wise, NPR, 2 May 2026
Most like to be clean, although wallowing in the mud does help keep them cool and protected from insects and the sun.
—Eric Adler
april 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 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
Instead of wallowing in frustration, Burks took things into his own hands, tying a career-high with 23 points in helping the Knights to an 82-71 win over visiting TCU on Tuesday night.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Now, Daphne is living with Petra’s ex Miles, both wallowing in their own breakup hell.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Alana Wise, NPR, 2 May 2026
Most like to be clean, although wallowing in the mud does help keep them cool and protected from insects and the sun.
—Eric Adler
april 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 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
Instead of wallowing in frustration, Burks took things into his own hands, tying a career-high with 23 points in helping the Knights to an 82-71 win over visiting TCU on Tuesday night.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Now, Daphne is living with Petra’s ex Miles, both wallowing in their own breakup hell.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wallowing
Verb
-
Nebraska fans with seats around the tunnel spotted them, because thousands of Nebraska fans were still in their seats, reveling, the music still thumping in the arena, as if some kind of encore would be happening.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Our friends converted their 400-person reception hall wedding into a spirited dance party at their home, with small groups of well-wishers, each small enough to fit into their bomb shelter, taking turns reveling.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There was major line shuffling overall by Cooper on this night.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
YoshimiO, sharing fellow ’90s icon Flea’s recent interest in the instrument, turns in a credible trumpet line during the track’s shuffling, exuberant second half.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Serge, indulging his penchant for modern art, buys a large, expensive, completely white painting, with some slightly-less white lines.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 May 2026
-
This is a hotel with romance and celebration in mind, whether that means marking a once-in-a-lifetime occasion or indulging a lifelong love of history, art, and design.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Post-breakfast, ditch the golf cart to the beach and instead take the steps down through the spine of the resort, deep within the swaying trees.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
-
There were bird feeders hanging from the trees, fountains for the pollinators, and wind chimes swaying to and fro from the back porch.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
And if there is a party involved, the excitement would be about basking in Gillian’s glory — or just enjoying any excuse for a party.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Stays at River Bluff Farm start with farm-fresh breakfasts and often involve floating down the river, picnicking atop the bluff, or basking in golden-hour views from the expansive deck.—
Hayley Hutson,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
At the time, the group had around two dozen employees and was struggling for financial stability.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
The key will be to continue building off the encouraging start, especially after struggling with his command in Colorado last week.—
Jesús Cano,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wallowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wallowing. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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