grumbling

1 of 2

noun

grum·​bling ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

plural grumblings

1

: a mutter of discontent : complaint

Operators of bars and restaurants, who hear the first-hand grumblings of customers on the boardwalk, tend to oppose the ordinance.

—Kevin Robinson

2

: a growling or reverberating noise : rumbling

On a shorter timescale, researchers and governments are working together to detect the first grumblings of an earthquake and alert communities that might be affected.

—Eva Botkin-Kowacki

grumbling

2 of 2

adjective

1

: expressing discontent especially by muttering

Meanwhile, grumbling fans wondered why the new coach hadn't hired any Ohioans for his staff.

—Erick Adelson

2

: making a low, heavy, rolling sound

There was no sound, still, but the rushing river and the grumbling, looming storm.

—Susan Cooper

grumblingly

ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb

Some marine park wardens were doing a quick flyover, perhaps to check that we weren't poachers, and Al grumblingly went below to answer the crackling radio.

—Tony Perrottet

Examples of grumbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This grumbling wasn’t enough to put off aficionados and collectors, though. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Nevertheless, the grumbling across the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues got loud enough for the Major League Baseball Players Assn. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024

And while Trump and President Joe Biden have locked up the delegates needed to win their respective parties' nominations, primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio could reveal any lingering grumbling in either party base over their presumptive nominees. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024

The grumbling about the uniforms, which are designed by Nike and produced by Fanatic, has continued. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2024

Inflation contributes to price hikes, but Taco Bell notes increase in sales despite grumblings Taco Bell did not immediately respond Monday morning to USA TODAY's request for comment. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024

When tens of thousands of unaccompanied Central American minors entered this country in the last decade or so, sympathy for them among my family members went hand in hand with grumblings about who would have to take care of them. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024

There have also been grumblings from some traditionalists (of the rare book, not the Rodgers and Hammerstein, variety), along with some resignation. —Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2024

Some would say the grumbling about Alabama is misguided, simply childish jealousy of a program that continually is knocking on the door. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1