1
as in revelling
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
Reeves is a cranky, deadpanning Estragon, wallowing in frustration as his gangly limbs swing, unwillingly turning to his friend but also welcoming the help, the hugs.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
This is not a wallowing cruiser that isolates the driver in a leather cocoon, floating along, not entirely sure where the front end is.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Instead of wallowing in her misery, the movie accompanies her, like best friend Christina (Denise Gough), who checks in regularly with unconditional support.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
For the next few hours, Beau stayed in the hallway, wallowing in misery and looking outside the window, hoping to see his partner.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
With his life on the poetry circuit a distant memory, Saxberger is suddenly propelled out of his humdrum life, when he is ‘rediscovered’ by a group of young admirers wallowing in nostalgia for the lost downtown New York of the late 1970s and early ’80s.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Democrats have generally supported pork spending, but both parties end up wallowing in it.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2025
My father was living alone in that dark, filthy room like an old animal wallowing in its own excrement.
—Lee Chang-Dong, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
To avoid wallowing in their pity and reassurances, the women recite their own medical ailments (hyperthyroidism, gallstones, diabetes, irritable bowel) and promise to be there for each other.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
This is not a wallowing cruiser that isolates the driver in a leather cocoon, floating along, not entirely sure where the front end is.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Instead of wallowing in her misery, the movie accompanies her, like best friend Christina (Denise Gough), who checks in regularly with unconditional support.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
For the next few hours, Beau stayed in the hallway, wallowing in misery and looking outside the window, hoping to see his partner.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
With his life on the poetry circuit a distant memory, Saxberger is suddenly propelled out of his humdrum life, when he is ‘rediscovered’ by a group of young admirers wallowing in nostalgia for the lost downtown New York of the late 1970s and early ’80s.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Democrats have generally supported pork spending, but both parties end up wallowing in it.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2025
My father was living alone in that dark, filthy room like an old animal wallowing in its own excrement.
—Lee Chang-Dong, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
To avoid wallowing in their pity and reassurances, the women recite their own medical ailments (hyperthyroidism, gallstones, diabetes, irritable bowel) and promise to be there for each other.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wallowing
Verb
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To him, the equipment staff shuffling pieces around on the field during practice is just as important as the head coach standing by.—
Christopher Kamrani,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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During the 2024 rampage, two suspects wearing masks were captured on surveillance video shuffling up a driveway and firing weapons towards the home.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Countless moths beat frenetically around the trap’s white, diaphanous panels, which are swaying with ghostly ripples in a gentle breeze.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Oct. 2025
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In his own post, the Cavs guard shared the same photo, along with a clip showing an aerial view of the proposal, which took place by a pool surrounded by swaying palm trees.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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My Rimowa cabin carry-on has been a reliable favorite for years—surprisingly spacious and perfect for indulging my overpacking tendencies.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
2 Oct. 2025
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How did Chanel maintain her gamine figure while regularly indulging there?—
Leslie Camhi,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maybe new additions will boost a struggling position group.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The ever-paranoid Ally believes all of these headscratchers are part of a Trumpian conspiracy that's out to get her, but audiences were left struggling to connect the dots.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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No doubt Trump is basking in the glow of success.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Carolina Panthers are basking in the glow of a 30-0 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wallowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wallowing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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