growl 1 of 2

verb

ˈgrau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce growl (audio)
Definition of growlnext
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
3
as in to rumble
to make a low heavy rolling sound I'm sorry my stomach is growling, but I'm just really hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

growl

2 of 2

noun

as in snarl

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Verb
At the other end of our road, the cranes of the docks loomed — great Stothert and Pitt machines that growled overhead like something out of Star Wars, guarding the scale and mystery of the River Thames. — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 For Yard Act, who growled onto the world stage with a crunchy aggressive post-punk sound, slowing down (as much as workaholic rockstars can) brought them to a lighter sound. — E.r. Pulgar, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 While the officer's body camera was not recording audio at the time the shots were fired, Schielke said her clients never heard the dog bark or growl. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for growl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl
  1. complain
  2. roar
  3. rumble
  4. snarl
  5. scream
  6. whine
  7. moan
  8. mutter
Verb
  • Journalists have complained that the lucrative and high-profile show is not subject to The Atlantic’s editorial rules, input, or oversight — yet a casual listener could easily take it for an Atlantic editorial product.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kelker-Kelly reportedly had complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive, and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event, police said.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • The hometown crowd roared as Clark emerged alongside Wallen, but the appearance immediately dragged her back into the cultural and racial debates that had followed her since entering the WNBA.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Software stocks roared back from their artificial intelligence-driven sell off, while chip names cooled after a massive first-half run.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of roar
Verb
  • Pardo watched as another adult elephant, likely Matisse’s sister, rumbled from a distance before the family came together, uniting with another series of rumbles, as if saying hello.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The plane rumbled down the runway, picking up speed towards the roiling sea.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of rumble
Noun
  • His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This year’s Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer with closures, travel snarls and record gas prices in California.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of snarl
Verb
  • Set the scene The Homestead screams quirky, artful, and vintage yet restored—capturing a whimsical, fairytale ambiance embellished with hints of Southern charm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In reviewing the body camera footage, police found that the child was standing on the stairwell at one point and was screaming while holding her left arm up in the air, according to the warrant affidavit.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • Maris Kreizman pushes back against recent awards season whining.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • For The Times) Courtney does great old ladies and whining teens, Michaels plays great curmudgeons and Palermo is great at space work.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • At the same time, Plog placed a phone call to a relative and can be heard moaning and screaming in pain.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Sam makes a production out of teasing them, mock-reaching for various items on the set as the whole group moans and wails in distress.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • Heti stared at the drawing in front of her and muttered whatever under her breath.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The tourists mutter in disbelief before the driver of the bus heads down the street to the next haunted stop.
    — Sonjirose Chin, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of mutter

Browse Nearby Words

growing up
growl
growled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All