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View synonyms for growl

growl

[ groul ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility:

    The dog growled at the mail carrier.

  2. to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.
  3. to rumble:

    The thunder growled.

  4. Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.


verb (used with object)

  1. to express by growling.

noun

  1. the act or sound of growling.
  2. Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.

growl

/ ɡraʊl /

verb

  1. (of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner

    the dog growled at us

  2. to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner

    he growled an apology

  3. intr to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling

    the thunder growled around the lake



noun

  1. the act or sound of growling
  2. jazz an effect resembling a growl, produced at the back of the throat when playing a wind instrument

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Derived Forms

  • ˈgrowlingly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • growling·ly adverb
  • under·growl noun
  • un·growling adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of growl1

1350–1400; Middle English groule to rumble (said of the bowels); cognate with German grollen

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Word History and Origins

Origin of growl1

C18: from earlier grolle, from Old French grouller to grumble

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Students moan and growl and shriek and yawp, as if exorcising demons in a ritualistic ceremony.

She smiles, which sounds like a small thing, but a lot of Republicans growl.

A whimpering, half-growl and curdled scream, a cornered-animal cry of a sound.

At least, while Hasselbeck was there, viewers had a figure they could collectively growl at.

Columnists write that we must make it more relevant, while politicians growl about making it more efficient.

Again they heard the growl much nearer than before, and it became evident that the lion was intent on claiming hospitality.

So with a fearful growl, and a bark that might have frightened a lion, Bravo made a leap and a spring after poor little Downy.

“But we ought to pony up the money for his support like good sports,” said Darry, continuing to growl.

Lawrence made no answer, and with a curse and a growl the guerrillas turned away.

The bears growl in stupefaction and rage, and take deep breaths to begin again.

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