grovel

USAGE SUMMARY

"grovel" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It usually means to behave in a submissive or obsequious manner, or to show abject humility or servility. Example sentence: The defeated politician groveled before his opponent, begging for mercy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McConnell successfully neutralized challenger Bevin by being unafraid to grovel: he not only took junior Senator Rand Paul's endorsement and staff, for example, but he also put up with their eye-rolling (and nose-holding) in exchange for that support.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's all sort of sad and makes you wonder how much the 79-year-old elder statesman is willing to grovel for his job.

The Economist

But all this is politically impossible especially with the Democrats, who grovel to the teachers' unions, in charge of Congress.No Child Left Behind originally passed with bipartisan support because Republicans liked the tests and Democrats liked the extra money Mr Bush threw in to sweeten the deal.

The Economist

Japan's right wing, on the other hand, can pretend that he is not there to grovel, but rather to trumpet Japan's manly contribution to the war effort in Central Asia.America is awkwardly grateful for helpThe Americans, meanwhile, find themselves awkwardly grateful for the Japanese offer of help.

The Economist

According to one report, Ms Swaraj has told supporters that Mr Modi is creating a "ruthless" party, sidelining rival figures and making the old guard of leaders "grovel" before him.

The Economist

Well-red Crack open the fruit juice On a short fuse The warlords' way State of concern Captive nation A Bollywood song and dance Reprints Related items Clarification: MarathaFeb 25th 2010That should have been enough to make Mr Khan grovel.

The Economist

Celebrity chefs give the impression that you are lucky to be able to eat their food, and that the privilege will be removed if you fail to behave properly or grovel sufficiently.

The Economist

SIR —I'll admit that the Democrats "grovel" to the teachers if you'll agree that the Republicans grovel to the religious right and its desire for public funding for segregated religious schools in the form of vouchers.

The Economist

OFHEO has to grovel annually before Congress for meagre funding.

The Economist

If presidential candidates court the old now, in future they may grovel before them.

The Economist

Waiters and receptionists grovel before him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grovel" when you want to emphasize a sense of desperation, humility, or insincere flattery. It's particularly effective in highlighting power dynamics or someone's willingness to debase themselves for personal gain.

Common error

Avoid using "grovel" when a sincere apology is intended. "Grovel" often implies insincerity or an ulterior motive, undermining the genuineness of the expression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grovel" is as a verb. It describes an action, typically involving excessive humility or servility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability based on numerous examples, indicating its role in depicting submissive behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "grovel" describes behaving with excessive humility or servility, often implying insincerity or desperation. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in news and media, though it can be found in other contexts. When using "grovel", be mindful of the potential negative connotations, and consider alternatives like ""be obsequious"" or "fawn over" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Source quality is high, with examples drawn from reputable publications such as The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be obsequious

Focuses on excessive flattery and eagerness to please.

be servile

Highlights the submissive and obedient behavior.

fawn over

Suggests exaggerated attention and flattery.

act subserviently

Describes the manner of behaving in a submissive way.

ingratiate oneself

Emphasizes the effort to gain favor or acceptance.

kowtow to

Implies a deeper level of submission and respect, often to authority.

curry favor with

Focuses on deliberately trying to gain someone's approval.

crawl

Highlights the act of submitting oneself in hope of receiving some benefit.

suck up to

An informal phrase indicating insincere flattery for personal gain.

lick someone's boots

A highly derogatory term for extreme obsequiousness.

FAQs

How to use "grovel" in a sentence?

You can use "grovel" to describe someone behaving in an excessively submissive way, like: "The employee had to "be obsequious" to the manager to get a promotion."

What can I say instead of "grovel"?

You can use alternatives like "fawn over", "ingratiate oneself", or "be servile" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "grovel" or "crawl"?

While both words can imply submission, "grovel" suggests a more explicit act of seeking favor through humility, while "crawl" ("crawl") often refers to a literal or figurative act of moving in a prostrate position.

What's the difference between "grovel" and "kowtow to"?

"Grovel" typically indicates a general act of subservience or flattery, while "kowtow to" implies a more formal and often cultural act of showing deep respect or submission to authority.