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
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Joe’s raspy growl and Nick’s smoother tone contrast nicely and meet in the middle of the groovy, soulful pop-rock lane the group’s newer music occupies.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
Unflappable, Xhaka has the aura of one who has slipped into comfy slippers and a favourite armchair, at home in the growling adversity faced by a club for whom survival remains the overriding goal.
—Noun
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
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Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
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Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Verb
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So as the fires roared through Altadena, thousands more homeowners were left with insurance coverage that didn’t fully cover the costs of rebuilding.—
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After painful cuts and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Stock Show is growing again after another $400 million investment in its campus, and attendance has roared back to pre-pandemic levels.—
Verb
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Last year the Eagles rumbled to plus-12, the widest margin of the century to date.—
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Morton committed his second turnover of the day when edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei ripped the ball from the hands of the Red Raiders quarterback and rumbled down to the Texas Tech 6-yard line.—
Noun
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Despite headwinds like tariffs, supply chain snarls and higher costs for solar panels and other components, Fishman said, the initiative is having an impact.—
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And, two, worldwide supply chain snarls also stemming from the pandemic.—
Verb
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Hearing the Creature screaming his name, Victor turns back.—
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For all the talk about home-field advantage and the Bears needing their fans to scream 20 percent louder and be 30 percent drunker than usual, past precedent shows that won’t matter much.—
Verb
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Illinois Republicans have turned whining into an artform.—
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First came Notre Dame whining over missing out on a College Football Playoff invite.—
Verb
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Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
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There’s something moaning in the background.—
Verb
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The camera then turns to James Austin Johnson, who played the president, sleeping and muttering New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s name.—
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On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.—
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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