grovelled
Crawled in submission
Grovelled is the past tense of grovel, meaning to lie face down or crawl on the ground, typically in a posture of submission or humility.
More commonly, it describes degrading oneself to gain favor or forgiveness: He grovelled before his boss, begging not to be fired.
The spelling with double L is British; American English uses groveled.
Earnest desperate requesting
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- supplicationHumble plea for help
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
prostration · kowtowing · bowing · kneeling · crawling · obeisance · deference · submissiveness
Decline in condition
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- disgraceLoss of honor
- indignityHumiliating or degrading treatment
abasement · belittlement · debasement · dishonor · self-abasement · humbling · lowering · demeaning
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
mea culpa · confession · acknowledgment · self-reproach · regret · amends · expiation · penance
Urgent heartfelt request
- beggingEarnest desperate requesting
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- urgencyPressing need for action
- hopelessnessState without hope
helplessness · distress · anguish · neediness · despair · last resort · clutching · clinging
begging
Earnest desperate requesting
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- supplicationHumble plea for help
entreaty · prostration · kowtowing · bowing · kneeling · crawling · obeisance · deference · submissiveness · servility
degradation
Decline in condition
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- disgraceLoss of honor
indignity · abasement · belittlement · debasement · dishonor · self-abasement · humbling · lowering · demeaning · discomfiture
contrition
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
atonement · mea culpa · confession · acknowledgment · self-reproach · regret · amends · expiation · penance · apologetic
pleading
Urgent heartfelt request
- beggingEarnest desperate requesting
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- urgencyPressing need for action
hopelessness · helplessness · distress · anguish · neediness · despair · last resort · clutching · clinging · panic