grumble

verb

grum·​ble ˈgrəm-bəl 

grumbled; grumbling ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to mutter in discontent

grumbled about the scarcity of jobs

2

: growl, rumble

Thunder grumbled in the distance.

transitive verb

: to express with grumbling

grumbled his annoyance

grumble noun

grumbler

ˈgrəm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

grumbly

ˈgrəm-b(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan

Examples of grumble in a Sentence

There's been a lot of grumbling among the employees.

Some of the customers have been grumbling about poor service.

Fans grumbled about the team's poor play.

“When are we going to leave?” he grumbled.

We could hear thunder grumbling in the distance.

Recent Examples on the Web

There has been some grumbling about use of the new data, but Nielsen executives believe the new Big Data elements have been accurately reflecting viewing patterns. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025

The British Treasury and the British taxpayer grumbled at the expense of maintaining dominance. —Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025

Eleven months ago, his presence on Camden Yards’ mound featured grumbling fans about a trade deadline deal gone wrong. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025

There were also raised eyebrows and grumbles about the attendance of Kevin Spacey, who jetted over to pick up an award. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for grumble

• bumble
• crumble
• fumble
• humble
• jumble
• mumble
• rumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

Kids Definition

grumble

verb

grum·​ble ˈgrəm-bəl 

grumbled; grumbling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to mutter in discontent

2

: rumble entry 1

grumble noun

grumbler

-b(ə-)lər 

noun

grumblingly

-ˌb(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb