grovel

[gruhv-uhl, grov-] / ˈgrʌv əl, ˈgrɒv- /

VERB

abase, demean oneself

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beseech fawn

STRONG

beg blandish bootlick brown-nose court cower crawl creep cringe crouch flatter humor implore kneel kowtow pamper prostrate revere snivel soft-soap stoop truckle wheedle

WEAK

apple-polish beg for mercy bow and scrape butter up cater to eat crow eat dirt eat humble pie fall all over humble oneself kiss one's feet make much of make up to play up to suck up to

Antonyms

STRONG

ignore

WEAK

boast

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.

Absolutely, but Colin is eager to please and genuinely loves to grovel.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2025

On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul made Suozzi drive to Albany to all but grovel for her support.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023

Elrond isn’t the only elf who has to grovel among the rabble in this episode.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2022

Another added, "A fine day to grovel to your overlord$ eh? Get off your knees, charlatan."

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2022

And then Henry begins to grovel for his life.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman