grumble

grum·ble

verb \ˈgrəm-bəl\

grum·bledgrum·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of GRUMBLE

intransitive verb

1

: to mutter in discontent

2

: growl, rumble

transitive verb

: to express with grumbling

— grumble noun

— grum·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

— grum·bling·ly \-b(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

— grum·bly \-b(ə-)lē\ adjective

Examples of GRUMBLE

1. There's been a lot of grumbling among the employees.
2. Some of the customers have been grumbling about poor service.
3. Fans grumbled about the team's poor play.
4. “When are we going to leave?” he grumbled.
5. We could hear thunder grumbling in the distance.

Origin of GRUMBLE

probably from Middle French grommeler, ultimately from Middle Dutch grommen; akin to Old High German grimm grim

First Known Use: 1580

Related to GRUMBLE

Synonyms

beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, complain, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl

Antonyms

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words

object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms

accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commend

Rhymes with GRUMBLE

bumble, crumble, fumble, humble, jumble, mumble, rumble, scumble, stumble, tumble, umbel