growling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of growlingnext
as in guttural

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growling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of growl
1
as in screaming
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely he was growling about how much work he had to do

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in roaring
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
3
as in rumbling
to make a low heavy rolling sound I'm sorry my stomach is growling, but I'm just really hungry

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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 growling
Adjective
Any growling or negative reactions shouldn’t be punished, as the dog is just showing their unhappiness. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025 Sometimes animatronic and growling, sometimes staring out dead-eyed, classic and static. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2022 Under this gesturing, growling, fiery sprite of a dude, the team is sturdier, more focused, playing harder, playing smarter. — Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2021 Getty Images / AndreyPopov) Going to bed with a growling stomach isn’t great, either. — Lindsey Vickers, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2020 But be mindful of the wind, which can turn Lyon Oaks into a growling beast. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 2019 Who can forget the wonder embedded in gifts of ribbon candy, or the crackling fat of the roasted pig that signaled abundance and the passing of years, or the growling hunger of a long winter? — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, 25 May 2018 The world's complex environmental issues demand open minds, fresh perspectives, and less growling. — Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2012
Verb
As Koji’s character is thrust into a cage at an underground prison brawl, Momoa’s Blanka can be heard growling off screen. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026 This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026 Could the growling creature be responsible for the gouges by Zampanò’s dead body? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026 The big question is whether people who pay hundreds of thousands of euros for growling gas-guzzlers will also shell out for electric versions. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Or any of the Republican gym bros peddling supplements online and growling lifestyle advice into webcams. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026 At that point, your stomach has probably been growling for a good hour, so answer that call with some tacos at Taqueria Rosita. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 May 2026 Lane’s Willy is both a paternal tyrant and a wounded bear, growling if anyone interrupts him yet unable to conceal his soft underbelly. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 Suddenly all of those wolves appeared to pile on one wolf, and the growling and yipping carried for miles in the still, cold air. — Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
  1. guttural
  2. screaming
  3. roaring
  4. rumbling
  5. hoarse
  6. complaining
  7. growly
  8. whining
Adjective
  • The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ranging from the sound of emergency sirens and birds screeching to low grunts and guttural hoots, their vocalizations reverberate from a sanctuary in the hot, dry hills of the Santa Clarita Valley, north of Los Angeles.
    — Jaimie Ding, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of guttural
Verb
  • For now, however, the company that produces Flock cameras is holding off on technology that can register screaming and perhaps even speech.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Harry Styles didn’t need to name-drop Taylor Swift to get his Madison Square Garden crowd screaming.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of screaming
Verb
  • In Tibet, the roaring mudslide that struck Wednesday engulfed a multistory port building and swallowed a bus parking lot at the land border crossing of Gyirong Port.
    — Niranjan Shrestha, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In Minneapolis, the roaring Minnehaha Falls is down to a much lower flow.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of roaring
Verb
  • But Gareth Fry’s thundering, rumbling sound design too often oversells the suspense.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Kraft made a one-handed grab over Keisean Nixon about 15 yards downfield, then kept rumbling for a 46-yard touchdown.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of rumbling
Adjective
  • Singers didn’t want their voices to get hoarse over the long night or week.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Saliva collects at the mouthpiece and distorts the notes, making the blasts sound hoarse and off-pitch.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hoarse
Verb
  • The sport is now on TV every night of the week these days—and unlike some traditionalists, football-loving families aren’t complaining.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Even before the eighth inning on Sunday, Flemming spent a great deal of time complaining on the WEEI broadcast.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of complaining
Adjective
  • And, seriously, what was up with that growly Batman voice?
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
  • And Davis’s integrity puts him at odds with his longtime fence, Money (Nick Nolte, nice and growly as ever), who responds by enlisting the services of Ormon (Barry Keoghan), a platinum-blond thug on a motorcycle.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of growly
Verb
  • Quit whining about the stupid catch, quit whining about Jazz stealing third, and maybe start talking about how the Red Sox were a complete no-show all weekend long.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The state compared Atrium to a soccer team whining about the referees.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of whining

Browse Nearby Words

growlers
growling
growls
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Cite this Entry

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

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