1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he was growling about how much work he had to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to roar
to make a long loud deep noise or cry
the neighbor's dog growls every time we pass the house
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of growl
Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
The 120-pound canine's confusion resulted in a growl and a warning bite, Kashen told Newsweek via TikTok.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Go grab your passport, a wad of bail money, and enough thirst for wine that growls at history and food that tastes like the ocean punched you in the mouth.
—John Noakes, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
The raw power of his voice overwhelmed the space, alternating between a feminine falsetto and masculine growl—often within the same song.
—Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
The 120-pound canine's confusion resulted in a growl and a warning bite, Kashen told Newsweek via TikTok.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Noun
The scene’s amniotic shoppe Muzak is suddenly overridden by a deep, growling synth.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Go grab your passport, a wad of bail money, and enough thirst for wine that growls at history and food that tastes like the ocean punched you in the mouth.
—John Noakes, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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Gil complained that the mound was slick, and the grounds crew came out to work on it in between innings.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Although the underlings complained about my methods, the cartel leaders, like Pedro and his boss, El Viejo, a key deputy of Pablo Escobar, were on my side.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s no better name for a Fort Worth barbecue joint, either, for like that apocryphal panther, the city’s once-sleepy barbecue scene has awakened and begun to roar.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
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Other clips depict engines roaring with huge crowds and fireworks being set off.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Facing a third-and-25 after a big penalty, Keller pulled out the tricks with a throwback pass from Brock Meek to Burkett, who rumbled 48 yards to the Texans’ 2-yard line.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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Lions rumbled somewhere far off.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some state laws also prevent pharmacists from administering vaccines that haven’t been recommended by ACIP—a snarl that’s prompted pharmacies to limit access to COVID vaccines in more than a dozen states.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
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The River Cats’ mascot, Dinger, danced on the roof of the visiting team’s dugout, and sound effects played during tense and celebratory moments: a feline snarl, and the two-note sting associated in pop culture with an approaching shark.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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You are caught by surprise by the car door opening, and scream and bury your teeth in the arm of the cop trying to bring you home, scrapping all the harder for being caught unawares.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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The group chanted, sang and screamed at a group of agents in military fatigues and masks who walked back and forth on the building’s roof.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Boston Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Julia says, dropping to all fours and moaning amid a pile of straw on the floor.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ellis could be heard moaning and could be seen lying on the ground.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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My husband has been muttering in a loop about tuition, books, food, and transportation to and from home to campus.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
15 Sep. 2025
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Although full disclosure, those two words were muttered in the press box Sunday after Nix had thrown two unsightly picks through the first three quarters of the Broncos’ win over Tennessee.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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