GROWL Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

growl 1 of 2

verb

ˈgrau̇(-ə)l

Definition of growl

as in to complain

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

as in to roar

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

as in to rumble

to make a low heavy rolling sound I'm sorry my stomach is growling, but I'm just really hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

growl

2 of 2

noun

as in snarl

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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 growl

Verb

At the other end of our road, the cranes of the docks loomed — great Stothert and Pitt machines that growled overhead like something out of Star Wars, guarding the scale and mystery of the River Thames. — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 For Yard Act, who growled onto the world stage with a crunchy aggressive post-punk sound, slowing down (as much as workaholic rockstars can) brought them to a lighter sound. — E.r. Pulgar, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

Dodd recites it from memory in Wolverine’s voice with a growl. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for growl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for growl

Verb

That March, a seventy-year-old patient from a wealthy Cypriot family, Evie Lanitis, arrived at BioMed, complaining of a host of minor maladies, including bursitis in her toes, dental pain, and digestive issues.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
In the days before the spill was announced, residents complained of fuel-like odors pervading areas of Dubai and north.

— Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of complain

Verb

Superstars at both ends, tempers ready to flare, world-class soccer, and a roaring Camp Nou crowd.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
More than 17,000 Atlanta fans roared the Dream to a thumping 26-point victory and a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals series against the Golden State Valkyries.

— Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of roar

Verb

Now rumours are rumbling that Activision’s reboot might focus on Chief’s origins; that's the last thing Halo needs.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Mahomes completed a short pass to the Chiefs tight end, who rumbled down the field, rolling down at the Chargers’ 20-yard line for a 24-yard gain.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rumble

Noun

To get to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, take the metro (look for the brown Metro Line 9) to avoid getting entangled in traffic snarls.

— Alan Chazaro, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026
His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of snarl

Verb

A little girl pounding her fists and screaming; none of the visitors nor the staff were allowed to hold her to provide comfort.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero screamed in the dugout after Milwaukee had rallied to tie the game.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of scream

Verb

Unlike last year when Texas coach Steve Sarkisian whined about his non-conference schedule, his main complaint this year will be his conference schedule.

— Mac Engel October 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
This contract then frees me, within the pages of the notebook, to do anything—to write or draw, or paint, to whine and complain, to plot and scheme—to fail or succeed without fear.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of whine

Verb

It's been a big few months for Austin Abrams moaning and groaning his way through some of the worst situations imaginable.

— Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
For a cold moment the silence locked a grip on our table, though it was broken, at the edges, by the golf commentators moaning and harrumphing, Rory McIlroy having had a canary on a seventeenth fairway somewhere this championship Sunday.

— Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of moan

Browse Nearby Words

growing up

growl

growled

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Style

“Growl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growl. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of growl

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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