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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of growl
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Mira growled into her watch, excitedly.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Acceleration is also accomplished with a throaty growl.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
At that point, your stomach has probably been growling for a good hour, so answer that call with some tacos at Taqueria Rosita.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Mira growled into her watch, excitedly.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Noun
Logic, curated by decades of precedent, suggested the 22-year-old might tremble at the growl of the aggressive, experienced Wolves.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Acceleration is also accomplished with a throaty growl.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
-
Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Plus, who can complain when the gorgeous Block Island — which, unlike Rhode Island, is actually an island — is described as New England’s Caribbean?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The stadium roared as Mexico fans joined Iran fans cheering and waving flags.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Regrets are common enough after lives are lost — when the cost of conflict is staring you right in the face, dead-eyed and countless — and yet this specific contrition persists long before the ships crash, the arrows fly, and the dragons roar.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Bored Lord and AceMo, longtime bastions of their respective coastal scenes, offer up two rumbling club heaters.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
17 June 2026
-
Elijah Just rumbled toward the box and seemed to pinball around the Iranian defense.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Be prepared for traffic snarls and multiple security checkpoints.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
-
It’s embedded in the lore of the city — the breakout pass, the bounding leap, the midair double clutch, the ferocious snarl.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The keeper could do nothing but flail and then turn and scream in frustration at his defense’s failings at the crucial moment.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Elena called for Harold, who ran out in his boxers — both men screamed at each other and threatened to call the cops.—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Don’t whine about his Northern California roots or love of the local nine.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
Stop whining and complaining, people.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms.—
Kevin McKeough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
And yes, that sound will dissipate and soon will be too faint for my human ears as it is absorbed into space, but Renee Gladman writes that spaces moan.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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