growl

1 of 2

verb

ˈgrau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce growl (audio)
growled; growling; growls
Synonyms of growlnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: rumble
his stomach growled
b
: to utter a growl
the dog growled at the stranger
2
: to complain angrily

transitive verb

: to utter with a growl : utter angrily

growl

2 of 2

noun

: a deep guttural inarticulate sound

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of growl in a Sentence

Verb I could hear a dog growling behind me. My stomach's been growling all morning. “What do you want?” he growled.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Is the relentless trudge through the desert almost over? Will the Gators soon growl once again? — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 Oakey's behavior hilariously mirrors this stereotype, making the comparison all the more entertaining. Dogs, like Oakey, may growl for a variety of reasons. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
Some Trump fans love Musk but can't give up the growl of an engine. — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025 Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for growl

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English groulen, grollen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of growl was in the 14th century

Rhymes for growl

See All Rhymes for growl

Browse Nearby Words

grow into
growl
growler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growl. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

growl

verb
ˈgrau̇(ə)l
1
a
: rumble entry 1
b
: to utter a deep threatening sound
the dog growled
2
: complain sense 1
growl noun
growler
ˈgrau̇-lər
noun

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