1. Symbols or characters (such as @, #, $, %, &) used in comic strips and cartoons to represent profanity or obscene language.
Usage: informal; chiefly used in comics and graphic novels

Examples

• The angry character's speech bubble was filled with grawlixes instead of actual curse words.
• Comic artists use grawlixes to keep their work family-friendly while still showing strong emotion.
• A string of grawlixes appeared above the cartoon character's head when he hit his thumb with a hammer.
• The newspaper comic strip relied on grawlixes to convey the character's frustration without printing profanity.
• Young readers often find grawlixes amusing because they suggest swearing without spelling it out.