as in guttural
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in screaming
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he was growling about how much work he had to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2012
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
Be wary of the wind, which can turn Lyon Oaks into a growling beast.
—Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 6 July 2018
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
Put the bag in a backpack and give it to a schoolchild who lives with empty pantries and a growling stomach.
—Beth Thames, AL.com, 15 Mar. 2018
Adjective
The world's complex environmental issues demand open minds, fresh perspectives, and less growling.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2012
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
Be wary of the wind, which can turn Lyon Oaks into a growling beast.
—Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 6 July 2018
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
Put the bag in a backpack and give it to a schoolchild who lives with empty pantries and a growling stomach.
—Beth Thames, AL.com, 15 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for growling
Adjective
-
Only a guttural scream in the song’s last 90 seconds can encapsulate the whirlwind of emotion from this cathartic banger.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2025
-
At BrewDog, Weber stood on his bar stool and screamed at the ceiling, unleashing a guttural howl.—
Justin Williams,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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
Adjective
-
While working through the audio issues, Billy Ray wandered the stage, sang a cappella, and left some viewers concerned about his hoarse voice and at times erratic behavior.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Hollis lists her grievances, her voice hoarse and shrill.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
That first-round pick became Merriman (although, the Giants aren't complaining).—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The irony of the quintessential real estate expert buying a home in the flight path of an international airport, then complaining about the noise, is not lost on the rest of Palm Beach County.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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
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
Adjective
-
My husky boy feet cemented into the concrete veranda.—
Diane Seuss,
Harper's Magazine,
2 July 2024
-
Warren’s deep, husky voice frees himself from the blame of an unhealthy relationship over a stomping piano beat.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Pattinson, now deep into his post-Teen Beat phase of playing weirdos, gives Mickey the raspy voice and hangdog expression of the loser who dies first during a heist movie.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Hendry’s distinctive raspy voice adds a raw, authentic quality to his music.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near growling
Cite this Entry
“Growling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growling. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share