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
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
This is not about wallowing in self-pity but rather accepting that setbacks happen to everyone.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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
This is not about wallowing in self-pity but rather accepting that setbacks happen to everyone.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wallowing
Verb
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In it, a monster with bolts in his head and a shuffling gate was created by a man.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
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The closures have resulted in staff shuffling throughout the library system and rescheduled activities such as author talks and photography exhibits.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The sun is out, there’s a cool breeze, and the tree leaves are swaying in the breeze.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The crowd was especially amped up during the performance, with Ciara among many in the audience standing up and swaying (and seemingly singing) along.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And, heck, even Friday, particularly with Travis Kelce indulging and inciting fans at Neo Quimica Arena with dance moves during warmups before the Chiefs took on the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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This isn’t about indulging individual preferences, but rather maximizing human potential.—
Neil Henderson,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Apart from buying struggling retailers, Barnes & Noble has expanded its physical footprint.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Despite the additional funding, the Advocate pointed out that some TAC offices were already struggling—as of April 15, 2025, 239 were understaffed and 21 were unstaffed.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Forty-five minutes later, the racetrack appears almost without warning — coiled like a basking viper in the Tuscan countryside.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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Most families stay in vacation rentals on these islands and spend their time basking on the sand or exploring nature.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wallowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wallowing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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