growling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of growlingnext
as in guttural

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In the clip, the animals tussle on a bed, Moose making playful growling noises as he and Peach play-fight, Moose using his mouth and Peach giving it all with his paws. — Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 The world's complex environmental issues demand open minds, fresh perspectives, and less growling. — Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
  1. guttural
  2. roaring
  3. hoarse
  4. complaining
  5. growly
  6. whining
  7. husky
  8. raspy
Adjective
  • The 36-year-old LaPlante, who’s adept at guttural screaming as well as soulful crooning, drives that diverse palette.
    — Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Thirteen minutes from the end of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ victory at Bournemouth, Andre raised his fists and roared a guttural celebration.
    — Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of guttural
Verb
  • Topline Losses from a pair of big-name companies, Apple and Tesla, headlined a broader slip in the stock market Thursday, a rocky start to the year’s first trading session after 2023 and 2024’s roaring bull market.
    — Derek Saul, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The audience went wild, roaring with laughter and applause.
    — Julia Moore, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of roaring
Adjective
  • Typically lasting about a week, these include chronic cough, sneezing fits, runny nose, sinus pressure, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and hoarse (scratchy, raspy) voice.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Those concerns came to a head during Biden's debate against now-President Donald Trump in June, when Biden sounded hoarse and appeared to stumble through several answers.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of hoarse
Verb
  • The Buccaneers started complaining to the officials about fouls.
    — CJ Moore, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • That first-round pick became Merriman (although, the Giants aren't complaining).
    — Ryan Morik, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of complaining
Adjective
  • There’s even a ragged guitar solo and some growly vocals that reveal Rivers Cuomo’s heavy-metal roots.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024
  • So Swims seems to be benefiting from an overall mainstreaming of growly country voices (looking at you, Chris Stapleton and Zach Bryan) and bringing it into the pop space.
    — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024
Definition of growly
Verb
  • The whining about everyone else didn’t help, either.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Stop whining and thank your lucky stars for having a job.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of whining
Adjective
  • Voicing the bag is an older woman with a husky Tuscan timbre, which carries the whole way through its lifecycle onscreen.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
  • My husky boy feet cemented into the concrete veranda.
    — Diane Seuss, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Definition of husky
Adjective
  • Overall, Rod relied on his iconic raspy voice, his impressive 19-person orchestra (14 of which were women) and the excitement of the crowd.
    — Mark Gray, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The outsider with a raspy voice and big brain is a breath of fresh air no matter how many stories come out about dead bears and brain worms.
    — Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of raspy

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“Growling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growling. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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