grovel

[gruhv-uhl, grov-]

verb (used without object)

groveled, groveling , grovelled, grovelling .

1. to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.

   Synonyms: pander, kowtow, fawn, toady, truckle

2. to lie or crawl with the face downward and the body prostrate, especially in abject humility, fear, etc.

3. to take pleasure in mean or base things.

grovel

/ ˈɡrɒvəl /

verb

1. to humble or abase oneself, as in making apologies or showing respect

2. to lie or crawl face downwards, as in fear or humility

3. (often foll by in) to indulge or take pleasure (in sensuality or vice)

Other Word Forms

• groveler noun
• grovelingly adverb
• ungroveling adjective
• ungrovelling adjective
• grovellingly adverb
• groveller noun
• grovelling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grovel¹

1585–95; back formation from obsolete groveling (adv.), equivalent to obsolete grufe face down (< Old Norse ā grūfu face down) + -ling ², taken to be present participle

Word History and Origins

Origin of grovel¹

C16: back formation from obsolete groveling (adv), from Middle English on grufe on the face, of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse ā grūfu, from grūfa prone position; see _-ling ²

Example Sentences

"The grovelling apology to a state that supports and funds terrorism is a disgrace," far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X.

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The more afraid I was of him, the more groveling I became.”

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The abruptness of the about-face is almost shocking, despite the long history of all these people shaming themselves with their groveling obedience to the former reality TV host turned politician.

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He, or more plausibly some eager-to-please groveling toady, actually wants school children to study the so-called evidence of that enormous history-shaping crime, which may involve the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop.

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More recently, The Washington Post pulled a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist’s work when it mocked media and tech titans groveling at the feet of President Donald Trump.

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Related Words

• beseech 
• fawn