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

But, as evidenced by the grumbling as Senators shuffled around the room, the immutable fact is that Kennedy still has Trump’s confidence. —Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

Expect to hear grumblings about that early in 2026. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

The announcement two weeks ago that Grand Canyon would immediately join the Mountain West was met with more than a little grumbling from departing schools. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025

Despite some public criticism and internal grumbling, the paper’s leadership has continued to back the piece. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grumbling

• bumbling
• crumbling
• fumbling
• humbling
• mumbling
• rumbling
• stumbling
• tumbling