grovel
verb (used without object)
to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.
grovelled
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past participleof grovel.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof grovel.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
grovelverb (used without object)to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.
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.
It quotes: "Even if he grovelled to us on his knees, it wouldn't be enough."
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Months later, upon seeing how quickly Dubai had sprawled outwards, he returned to court and grovelled.
From The Guardian ● May 16, 2016
"I really didn't mean to imply Becky had failed in any way," she later grovelled.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 4, 2012
Less than three months after their foolish decision, Coke’s bosses grovelled to customers and reintroduced classic Coke.
From Economist ● Mar. 29, 2012
Then crawling to Frodo’s feet he grovelled before him, whispering hoarsely: a shudder ran over him, as if the words shook his very bones with fear.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
