Grovelingly
In a manner that expresses excessive humility or servility; abjectly; obsequiously. This often involves bending down low, metaphorically or literally, to show deference or seek forgiveness or favor. It suggests a complete surrender of pride and dignity. Groveling can involve fawning, flattery, and a willingness to endure humiliation to achieve a desired outcome, such as avoiding punishment, obtaining a benefit, or gaining approval. The motivation is usually fear, self-preservation, or a deep-seated sense of inferiority. It is generally seen as a negative behavior, indicative of weakness or lack of self-respect.
Grovelingly meaning with examples
- The spy, caught red-handed, began grovelingly to apologize, offering any information the authorities desired. He pleaded for mercy, promising complete cooperation and expressing profound shame. His words, however insincere, were designed to appease his captors and avoid a harsh sentence. It was a pathetic display of groveling, devoid of any genuine contrition, only a desperate attempt to save himself.
- After his disastrous public outburst, the politician, in an attempt to salvage his reputation, addressed the press grovelingly. He offered a lengthy and effusive apology, attributing his words to stress and exhaustion. He promised to do better, begging for forgiveness and attempting to regain public support. It was a clear case of groveling, designed to appease the offended constituents and protect his political career.
- Seeing his mistake, the apprentice bowed grovelingly before his master, acknowledging his error. He vowed to never repeat such behavior and promised to work harder. His body language was indicative of pure submission and contrition, begging forgiveness. He truly understood the repercussions of failing to respect his master, and the groveling allowed him to continue his lessons.
- The desperate applicant submitted a lengthy letter, detailing his qualifications and skills, and also highlighting all the things he was willing to do. This was a pathetic and grovelingly attempt to secure the job, and it went straight into the trash. He listed all his weaknesses, and gave a glowing review of the employer, but this groveling was not the way to secure a job.
- The underdog team, despite their recent failures, bowed before the opposition in a grovelingly fashion. They complimented the opposition on their abilities, while attempting to take away any attention from their weakness. This was a blatant display of deference to the opponents, trying to avoid a physical confrontation. It was, however, still groveling, even if it gave an advantage.