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

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
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

Definition of reveling

Verb

Getty Images The Toronto Blue Jays have been struggling with injuries across the roster this season, shuffling the big-league roster and the lower levels of the organization as a result.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
The administration dissolved the CDC's Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, shuffling staffers to other divisions and interrupting work on the disease.

— Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

In the weeks before the finale, viewers across social media platforms spun conspiracy theories, convinced that people with inside knowledge had been betting every step of the way, and potentially swaying the vote to ensure a bigger payout.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Kansas Citians soaked up the sun on Friday night, swing dancing, swaying and bopping along to Sheryl Crow on the FIFA Fan Fest stage.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026

Definition of swaying

Verb

Small businesses are struggling to hire, with 62% trying to fill positions but 84% unable to find qualified applicants, revealing a significant skills gap.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
The country is currently struggling with unemployment of around 8%, the UN estimates, and inflation that is running at what the World Bank estimates to be more than 40%.

— Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 11 July 2026