1. to act in an obsequious manner in order to obtain forgiveness or favor
Usage: past tense of grovel
2. to lie or crawl abjectly on the ground with one’s face downward
Usage: past tense of grovel; literal physical action

Examples

• He groveled before his boss after making the costly mistake.
• She refused to be groveled to and demanded genuine respect instead.
• The defeated soldier groveled in the dirt before his captors.
• After the scandal broke, the politician groveled for public forgiveness.
• The dog groveled on its belly when it saw its angry owner.
• He groveled at her feet, begging for another chance.
• The servant groveled before the king, asking for mercy.