Grovel: meaning, definitions and examples
🙇
grovel
[ ˈɡrɒv(ə)l ]
in a humiliating manner
To behave in a servile or subservient way, to show excessive deference or obsequiousness. To beg persistently and urgently, especially on one's knees.
Synonyms
crawl, cringe, fawn, kneel, kowtow
Examples of usage
- He groveled at her feet, begging for forgiveness.
- The politician groveled to the public after the scandal broke.
- She refused to grovel to anyone, no matter the circumstances.
informal
A situation in which someone is behaving in a servile or obsequious way.
Synonyms
fawning, kowtowing, obsequiousness
Examples of usage
- She couldn't stand the constant grovel from her colleagues.
- The grovel from the salesperson was so over-the-top, it was almost comical.
Translations
Translations of the word "grovel" in other languages:
🇵🇹 humilhar-se
🇮🇳 गिड़गिड़ाना
🇩🇪 kriechen
🇮🇩 merangkak
🇺🇦 плазувати
🇵🇱 pełzać
🇯🇵 這う (はう)
🇫🇷 ramper
🇪🇸 arrastrarse
🇹🇷 sürünmek
🇰🇷 기어가다 (gieogada)
🇸🇦 يزحف
🇨🇿 plazit se
🇸🇰 plaziť sa
🇨🇳 爬行 (páxíng)
🇸🇮 plaziti se
🇮🇸 skríða
🇰🇿 еңбектеу
🇬🇪 ხოხვა
🇦🇿 sürünmək
🇲🇽 arrastrarse
Word origin
The word 'grovel' originated from the Old English word 'grufelian' which meant 'to dig in the ground with the snout'. Over time, the meaning evolved to convey the act of behaving in a servile or obsequious manner. The word has negative connotations and is often associated with demeaning oneself for the favor of another.