murmur

noun

mur·mur | \ ˈmər-mər

Definition of murmur

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a half-suppressed or muttered complaint : grumbling murmurs of disapproval

2a : a low indistinct but often continuous sound a murmur of voices the murmur of the waves along the shore

b : a soft or gentle utterance the murmur of nannies cooing into baby carriages —Nancy Gibbs

3 : an atypical sound of the heart typically indicating a functional or structural abnormality The physician detected a heart murmur in his patient.

murmur

verb

murmured; murmuring; murmurs

Definition of murmur (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a murmur the breeze murmured in the pines

2 : complain, grumble

transitive verb

: to say in a murmur

Other Words from murmur Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about murmur

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Examples of murmur in a Sentence

Noun

the murmur of the crowd The suggestion brought murmurs of disapproval. He spoke in a murmur. They spoke to each other in murmurs. the murmur of the waves along the shore

Verb

He murmured something about having to get home. “Thank you,” she murmured as she left the room. The breeze murmured in the pines.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In a cramped bedroom down the hall, Ansari’s wife, Nusrat, 42, spoke in a murmur. — Pamela Constable, Washington Post, "In Pakistan, the rape and killing of a 7-year-old girl is changing a culture of shame and indifference," 20 Jan. 2018 And a report from the Times has backed up the recent murmurs outside St James' Park, suggesting that the Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate will watch Shelvey in person during the next round of Premier League fixtures. — SI.com, "England Preparing to Snub Arsenal and Liverpool Stars in Favour of Newcastle Midfielder," 18 Apr. 2018 Often the boats turn south from the marina where there aren’t many homes, which creates just a murmur of noise for homeowners, but sometimes the tour boats come north and bring the thunderous noise past the neighborhood in search of alligator nests. — Ryan Gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Despite new law, homeowners on Lake Toho still complain about airboat noise," 13 July 2018 David Beckham entered the room not to outright booing Thursday evening, as some had predicted, but to a sort of collective grunting murmur and frowns. — Greg Cote, miamiherald, "David Beckham confronts his biggest fight yet to (finally) bring MLS soccer to Miami," 12 July 2018 The Texan’s earthy folk, blues and gospel songs are at home amid the riotous laughter of children and the content murmur of picnickers. — Bill Brownlee, kansascity, "KC concerts June 21-27: Macklemore & Kesha; Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle & Dwight Yoakam," 19 June 2018 Under the noon blaze a white-whiskered priest and a troupe of young women in red saris murmur, sing and place cups made of folded leaves at the base of the rock, which is covered on both sides with inscriptions. — The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018 The murmurs of patterns that might favor El Niño next winter are already starting. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "As most of D.C.’s meager snow fell in spring, it was a sad and strange season for snow lovers," 4 May 2018 Aviator Charles Lindbergh went from national hero to the object of murmurs of treason for his resistance to World War II. — Doug Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, "As Americans celebrate Independence Day, what does it mean to be a patriot?," 2 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The local Taliban leader, Ghulam Sakhi, murmured a few words about obeying the orders of the group’s national leader, then brought his teenage son to the floor. — Washington Post, "Taliban leaders reject Afghan government’s proposed cease-fire extension," 18 June 2018 The tables had tablecloths, the lights were dim, music murmured from the walls and there were no drinks on the house. — Bill Savage, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Books / Booze / Food & Drink Can a Division Street cocktail bar truly capture the spirit of Nelson Algren?," 13 June 2018 Wittig said, as those in the audience murmured in agreement. — Amy Lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Proposed U.S. Steel consent decree brings questions from environmentalists," 24 May 2018 Guillard seemed momentarily puzzled, murmuring something about learning to drive a big rig. — Fox News, "Europe faces a wave of freed terror convicts. Is it ready?," 11 May 2018 Chubb knows the draft order by heart, too, murmuring each team before Burkhardt writes it down. — Jenny Vrentas, SI.com, "24 Hours ... With Bradley Chubb and His Team at the NFL Draft," 1 May 2018 The videos confront and mesmerize — the whispering, murmuring, and singing mouths cannot be escaped. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "Meet six talented art-school grads," 27 Apr. 2018 Perhaps, observers murmured, Mr Trump really was reckless enough to risk a second Korean war. — The Economist, "North Korea’s despot has one goal: survival," 26 Apr. 2018 Locals in town would occasionally murmur about the woman who vanished, but her disappearance was left unsolved, forgotten. — Samantha Schmidt ·, courant.com, "50 years after Long Island woman vanished, police find her remains in a basement," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'murmur.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.