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 once-proud franchise of Don Shula, the Perfect Season and Dan Marino has spent this century wallowing in mediocrity since last winning a playoff game in the 2000 season, the longest drought in the league. — Greg Cote july 27, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wallowing

Verb

Mary Murphy, a young reporter from Queens, had been at Shea that night, reveling with her sisters in the upper loge section along the first-base line.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 31 July 2026
And on Wednesday, here in Atlanta, the Argentines turned a tourist attraction called Underground Atlanta into Underground Argentina, reveling with drums, chants, and dancing after beating England, 2-1, to earn a place in the championship game.

— Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 18 July 2026

Definition of reveling

Verb

Few heads turn despite her tall, unmistakable frame shuffling across the floor.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
In the Van Morrison video, people are shuffling around him, walking directly in front of or around him, some of them appear to be hustling to somewhere more urgent, some of them may be stopping for a brief glance, and then moving on.

— Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

Styled after a tropical paradise with swaying palm trees, Lost Island Waterpark offers endless aquatic fun during its summertime opening season, with slides, rides, and attractions.

— Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
After a few hours under the hot sun, there was no better cool down than swaying to Babyface classics.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of swaying

Verb

And now, with championship aspirations entering his 13th season, and fifth in Los Angeles, Mack is basking in his role as the Chargers’ elder statesman.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
And in the museum’s quiet moments in between, Hellerstein’s made a habit of going into the Ebbets Field room, turning off the ceiling light, and basking in the glow of the orbs in baseball’s most famous rotunda.

— Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

Definition of basking

Verb

Soon, the Toupses began feeding employees’ friends and families who were also struggling, and as word spread, more folks in need started reaching out.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
But one is struggling right now with depression, and the other is living her best life but not in touch much.

— Emily Morman, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2026