What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
groveling
Example
He was groveling at the feet of his boss, hoping to keep his job. [groveling: verb]
Example
The politician was seen groveling to the wealthy donors, hoping to secure their support. [groveling: present participle]
cringing
Example
The dog was cringing in fear at the sound of thunder. [cringing: present participle]
Example
She felt like cringing when her boss started yelling at her in front of everyone. [cringing: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cringing is more commonly used than groveling in everyday language. Cringing is a versatile word that can be used to describe a range of emotions and behaviors, while groveling is a more specific term that is less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between groveling and cringing?
Both groveling and cringing have negative connotations and are generally considered informal or even derogatory. However, groveling may be seen as more extreme and therefore less appropriate in formal settings.
