mutter

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verb mut·ter \ ˈmə-tər \

Definition of mutter

intransitive verb

1 :to utter sounds or words indistinctly or with a low voice and with the lips partly closed

… he gestured and muttered furiously in his lawyer's ear.
—Tana French

2 :to murmur complainingly or angrily :grumble

Some employees muttered about the changes in the pension plan.

transitive verb

:to utter especially in a low or imperfectly articulated manner

muttered an apology

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mutter

noun

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mutterer

play \-tər-ər\ noun

See mutter defined for English-language learners

See mutter defined for kids

Examples of mutter in a Sentence

She angrily muttered something about her bad luck.
She sat practicing her speech, muttering to herself.
Some employees are muttering about the changes in the pension plan.

Recent Examples of mutter from the Web

California governors rarely appear at legislative proceedings, but Brown sat through an entire four-hour hearing, taking notes as his critics spoke and occasionally shaking his head or muttering his disagreement.

— jonathan j. cooper, The Seattle Times, "Gov. Brown makes dire plea to save California climate law," 14 July 2017
California governors rarely appear at legislative proceedings, but Brown sat through an entire four-hour hearing, taking notes as his critics spoke and occasionally shaking his head or muttering his disagreement.

— Washington Post, "Gov. Brown makes dire plea to save California climate law," 14 July 2017
Bands like Bon Jovi and Cheap Trick funneled their overseas popularity into international success, while others have had those words muttered about them in jest.

— christa titus, Billboard, "Exclusive: Listen to Marty Friedman's 'Miracle'," 11 July 2017
Almost every player smashes racquets, and all of them rant and mutter.

— mike dang, Longreads, "Unsportsmanlike Conduct! The Cathartic (and Expensive) Act of Racket Abuse," 8 July 2017
Addison (remember her?!) raises her hand to make a snide comment about Aria, Ezra, and Nicole, and then mutters something about Ali under her breath.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, ""Pretty Little Liars" Finale Recap: "A.D." Is Revealed," 28 June 2017
Gaze low, the boy muttered an acquiescence to give the test a try.

— lara n. dotson-renta, The Atlantic, "Inside Connecticut's Education-Funding Turmoil," 25 June 2017
On Thursday, he was caught muttering under his breath to the crowd.

— luke kerr-dineen, USA TODAY, "Angry Jon Rahm had a major temper tantrum," 16 June 2017
Several of Terry's relatives muttered comments as Swinton, using a cane, walked into the courtroom, unshackled, wearing an orange prison uniform.

— dave altimari, courant.com, "Judge Releases Alfred Swinton, Convicted Of Murder In 1991, Pending New Trial," 8 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of mutter

Middle English muteren, of imitative origin

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First Known Use: 14th century

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mutter Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, complain, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl

Antonyms

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words

object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms

accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commend

MUTTER Defined for English Language Learners

mutter

play

verb

Definition of mutter for English Language Learners

: to speak quietly so that it is difficult for other people to hear what you say
: to complain in a quiet or indirect way

MUTTER Defined for Kids

mutter

play

verb mut·ter \ ˈmə-tər \

Definition of mutter for Students

muttered; muttering

1 :to speak in a low voice with lips partly closed

He muttered an apology.

2 :to complain in a low voice :grumble

She muttered about the bad food.

Learn More about mutter

See words that rhyme with mutter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mutter Spanish Central: Translation of mutter Nglish: Translation of mutter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mutter for Arabic speakers

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MUTTER Defined for English Language Learners

mutter

Definition of mutter for English Language Learners

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