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

My stomach is grumbling.

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 of grumble

• 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

Hippos grunt and grumble in the shallows, crocodiles sunbathe on sandbanks, elephants appear along the banks, while fish eagles call overhead as sunset approaches. —Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

If the conditions are right, and the cap breaks, that unstable air will create ferocious, snarling supercells that grumble and crackle with energy. —Emily Holshouser may 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026

The two-time Masters champion spun, glared at the spectator, grumbled under his breath and seemed to point out the person to security. —CBS News, 18 May 2026

The two-time Masters champion spun, glared at the spectator, grumbled under his breath and seemed to point out the person to security. —ABC News, 17 May 2026

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