Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For exactly a quarter of a century, I’ve grasped and groveled and guessed.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2025

Franchises, of course, have always pandered — it’s in their D.N.A. — but rarely has one groveled quite so thirstily for fan approval.

From New York Times • Jan. 13, 2022

He groveled, and then hedged, then tried to walk it all back with the absurdly laughable claim that he confused the word “would” for “wouldn’t”.

From The Guardian • Jul. 22, 2018

Pick meeee: Cities including Boston, Ottawa, New York, and Tucson have groveled at Jeff Bezos’ feet in their applications to host Amazon’s second headquarters that were due on Thursday.

From Slate • Oct. 19, 2017

With Aunty Uju, they hovered and groveled, curtseying deeply as they greeted her, overpraising her handbag and shoes.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie