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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of growl
Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
Stalking Lincoln Center in a pair of combat boots, Cheyenne speaks her mind in a low growl, fires every male dance partner NYMB artistic director Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby) has to offer, and sleeps with her new collaborator on Jack’s couch.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain.
—Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Verb
One witness tried to give him a life preserver, and another tried to speak with him but received a growl in response, according to the sheriff.
—Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
Stalking Lincoln Center in a pair of combat boots, Cheyenne speaks her mind in a low growl, fires every male dance partner NYMB artistic director Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby) has to offer, and sleeps with her new collaborator on Jack’s couch.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Noun
As country, hip-hop, rap, and acoustic folk rock collide at Summerfest 2025, one band's music style certainly sticks out: kawaii metal, a genre that blends death growl metal and pop sugar vocals.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain.
—Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
Verb
-
A number of Tesla shareholders, including some Democrats who oversee the investment of public sector pension fund money in Tesla stock, complained in May to Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm that Musk’s other activities are hurting the company.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
-
Trump has complained about the EU's $231 billion trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more goods from European businesses than the other way around.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
The meeting on Monday comes about a week after torrential downpours in the overnight hours of July 4 transformed the Guadalupe River into a roaring flood, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and trees.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
-
His showdown included five birdies and a roaring eagle on the 18th hole.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The short clip shows a dog hesitating at the foot of a staircase, visibly fearful of a thunderstorm rumbling outside.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
So, what goes down when that tummy starts to rumble?—
Kade Krichko,
Outside Online,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The single, meanwhile, is ushered in with a gripping bass line and an undercurrent of keyboards until Osbourne makes his grand vocal entrance, all sneers and snarls.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
-
From her audacious breakout piece Propped (1992) –a self-portrait that snarls at convention—to her recent abstract experiments, the show underscores Saville’s ability to oscillate between flesh and feeling.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Footage from onboard captures passengers, including children, screaming in fear as the cabin shakes and lightning flashes surround them.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
Golden Goose screams effortless cool girl with the unique, layered designs that demand a double take.—
April Benshosan,
Glamour,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Coaches and athletic directors continue to whine about the lack of regulation and the uneven playing field.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
18 July 2025
-
Back at the house, the dog whines at the garage door.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Now-tired 2010 fads that Lorde pioneered, including bittersweet tropical-pop textures and moaning vocal snippets, are everywhere.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
-
After one season, he was forcefully rejected by the community, which moaned to the press (and the local police) that the tranquil pondside inn was becoming a celebrity- and influencer-infested late-night party spot just like his club in the city.—
Brock Colyar,
Curbed,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Before immediately snapping, sighing loudly, or muttering a passive-aggressive comment, try pausing to consider what else might be going on first: Maybe your barista’s slammed with 10 other complicated orders, for instance, or your housemate had a brutal week at work.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
17 June 2025
-
McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share