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
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025
The luscious upper register of Harry Carney's baritone saxophone, the growling trumpet of Cootie Williams, and the sinuous lyricism of Johnny Hodges were all considered when composing music.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
One such problem is a too-common vocal style that is expressed in guttural growls, making lyrics difficult to decipher — at least for me.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Insider tip Don’t assume the only way to experience the bush is in a growling 4x4—what about an all-natural encounter instead?
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025
The luscious upper register of Harry Carney's baritone saxophone, the growling trumpet of Cootie Williams, and the sinuous lyricism of Johnny Hodges were all considered when composing music.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Republican panelist, 53, dramatically swooned into the back of her chair after Jordan, 38, chose to lean forward and give her his best vampiric growl while discussing the Prohibition-era vampire horror film on Monday.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
One such problem is a too-common vocal style that is expressed in guttural growls, making lyrics difficult to decipher — at least for me.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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The firing after a nearly 30-year run appeared to surprise Starkey, after reports that Daltrey was not happy with the drummer’s performance at a March Royal Albert Hall gig, complaining from stage that Starkey’s loud playing was throwing him off.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 May 2025
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Many complain about a lack of tort reform, unrestricted attorney advertising or litigation funding, all of which contribute significantly to the scam.—
Robert Tyson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Rabb grabbed the ball and raced up the left sideline, roaring past four defenders who had been caught flat-footed while focusing on James.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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As revolutions roared and factories rose, human worth became increasingly tied to productivity.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Gorillas make a deep, friendly rumbling to signal all is well.—
The Learning Network,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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Zoom in: As severe thunderstorms rumbled along the East Coast on Monday, the National Weather Service faced the possibility of losing its ability to bring satellite and observational data into forecast offices in a timely manner, starting at midnight, current and former NOAA staff told Axios.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Runway construction and bad weather added to Newark travel snarls in recent days.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
5 May 2025
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More than 100,000 motorists pass through Wheat Ridge, Denver and southwestern Adams County every day on Interstates 70 and 76, often in maddening traffic snarls.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
5 May 2025
Verb
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Heard screamed and dropped to the ground with the knife beside him.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
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Lyle approaches to finish them both, but Merritt screams from below, distracting Lyle just long enough for Akram to spring to action.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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In a similar lawsuit launched in March against Trump’s reorganization of the Department of Education, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers whined that Trump’s plan could lead to block grants to the states, some even allowing the money to go for private school vouchers.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2025
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Many comments on that post feel McIlroy is whining, but that does not seem to be the case.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The Rockies have been a zombie baseball club for five years now, moaning and trudging along the National League cellar, wandering the darkness, looking for brains to eat.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 May 2025
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But the Francophone descriptor fails to conjure the dust her voice kicks up, the grit and moan that hang in the air after each song.—
Carrie Brownstein,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He is made, late in the show, to feign a seizure in a moment that doesn’t land, and the blocking of his final scene, in which the actor mutters to the ceiling while lying on his back, similarly thuds.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
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Victoria barely muttered a word to Kate, who approached the Ratliffs during a meal, making the exchange extra awkward.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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