1
as in to cringe
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the way in which the abused dog would grovel whenever its owner came near

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2
as in to crawl
to move slowly with the body close to the ground because of their anatomy, bats can only grovel while moving along the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 grovel One moment involves Dickinson smashing up china and making Romy grovel on the floor to pick up the pieces. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024 On the first platform, Seychelle sets the tone beautifully by forcing C.K. to grovel, agreeing to help her, then doing nothing anyway. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025 What was not anticipated is how quickly and easily the media has capitulated and groveled. Michael Wolff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 Spending months in dark damp tunnels, bodies chained to walls, humans forced to grovel like animals. Greg Palkot, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grovel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grovel
Verb
  • Fans were cringing, and not even Chandler’s signature optimism could mask what everyone was watching.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Jessica Biel is looking back on her 7th Heaven days — and cringing.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Simply fill the moat with water to keep unwanted pests from crawling down to the nectar ports.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
  • And setting your baby down on the ground to crawl around isn’t the cleanest option.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When confronted with this new, harsh reality, our state didn’t flinch.
    Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, there will be some wins, at least from an optics perspective, but especially with China neither Trump nor Xi wants to be the first to flinch.
    Chuck Jones, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His eyes dart to her as his thick mustache creeps up to reveal a half smile.
    Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
  • McGee, Sam, Knight, and Torres creep onto the ship and split into teams of two.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The first season emphasized urban hellscapes — lots of cowering and running in the ruins of Boston, Kansas City and Salt Lake City — while moving toward the open spaces of Wyoming.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Through the video, she is shown cowering in the corner of her enclosure, staying close to the wall.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Moscow is particularly adept at what is known as hybrid warfare, a raft of tactics that can include targeting vital cables snaking along the seabed.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • On Tuesday night, 800 lucky Goose fans snaked they way through the Shed at Hudson Yards to enter a world where music and art fused in a swirling, electric dreamscape.
    Caroline Tell, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • But what happens if the nation slides into an economic recession while Washington is cutting, not expanding, aid to states?
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As May approaches the eastern brown snake, the reptile darts off, crossing the pink room to slither under a desk.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But Porsha is upset that Drew is using her as material for the show in the messiest way possible, slithering behind the scenes to create storylines with her ex.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grovel. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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