grovel

verb

ˈgrä-vᵊl How to pronounce grovel (audio)
Definition of grovelnext
1
as in to cringe
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the way in which the abused dog would grovel whenever its owner came near

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to crawl
to move slowly with the body close to the ground because of their anatomy, bats can only grovel while moving along the ground

Synonyms & Similar 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 grovel Here the adult narrator creates an atmosphere closer to Schulz’s erotic drawings, obsessively filled with images of the artist himself groveling at the feet of lithe young women. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 12 Feb. 2026 Political courage is needed, especially from the cowardly, groveling Congress. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026 That’s the saddest cash-grab gimmick ever, groveling for Dubai dollars. — Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Jan. 2026 The stringent businessman makes Marty suffer and grovel for his money, at one point exerting his power by spanking the young man’s bare bottom with a wooden ping-pong paddle. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grovel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grovel
  1. cringe
  2. crawl
  3. flinch
  4. creep
  5. cower
  6. snake
  7. slide
  8. slither
Verb
  • So when there was a kissing scene, Larry cringed, just cringed.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • For tips on how to stop cringing about an awkward moment, read our comic.
    — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 July 2026
Definition of cringe
Verb
  • Installation doesn’t require crews to manually crawl along hundreds of miles of line.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Leao Tires subbrand has a huge range of truck, bus, and tractor tires for everything from daily driving on pavement to slow crawling through muddy farm fields.
    — Michael Febbo, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of crawl
Verb
  • The Value Of Clarity​ Clarity is the ability to answer three questions without flinching.
    — Andrew Kokes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The brand is often compared to Dyson, a parallel Ozener doesn’t flinch at.
    — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • The location opened Monday, welcoming a consistent rush of customers into the space, even as the afternoon waned and crept into the neither-lunch-nor-dinner hours.
    — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Up to half of the more than 200,000 mountain glaciers — vast, slow moving rivers of ice that creep across the world’s peaks — are expected to disappear by the end of this century, even if ambitious climate goals are met.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of creep
Verb
  • Perhaps the team’s poor start caused everyone to cower, Vitello included.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Bret and Thom run to Susan’s bedroom door, which opens to reveal Debbie and Ryan cowering shirtless before the long-haired intruder.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cower
Verb
  • But the real action was in line for the Breen meet and greet, which snaked across the lobby of the Regal’s mezzanine level after the second screening.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Premier League trophy was kept out of the way, not shown off, apart from the blazing cover picture in the souvenir programme which ensured queues snaking through the crowd to purchase this special memento.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of snake
Verb
  • The former Syracuse standout, who starred during the preseason, immediately slides in as Malik Willis’ backup.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In addition, the crossguard had to be wide enough to prevent the user's hand from sliding onto the blade by accident.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of slide
Verb
  • There was unexpected wildlife – a screeching macaque and a viper slithering across a path.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This is believed to be the first slithering creature seen at a football practice since Drew Rosenhaus.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of slither

Browse Nearby Words

grove
grovel
groveled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grovel. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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