1
as in complainer
an irritable and complaining person
an uncle who is a real grouch when he's sick
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pouts
a state of resentful silence or irritability
having been proven wrong, he had a grouch on for hours afterwards
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3
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
it wouldn't be a workday if we didn't hear his daily grouch about how bad the coffee is
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as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
always seems to be grouching about the weather
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grouch
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 23 Sep. 2024
Though the kitty is getting long in the tooth, Oscar is no grouch; his name is an acronym for OutSide Cat at Rear.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2024
Hate to be a grouch when legions of social media film bros are breathlessly worshipping at the altar of The Demi-God of Cinema, George Miller, but Furiosa is a big step down from Mad Max: Fury Road.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Gary Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the brilliant grouch in question.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for grouch
Noun
Origin: Latin Meaning: Free, Frenchman Alternative Spellings and Variations: Francis, Frankie
Oscar
Sure, the most famous Oscar is either a statue or a grouch, but the name itself is a strong choice that will grow with your child.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 23 Sep. 2024
Though the kitty is getting long in the tooth, Oscar is no grouch; his name is an acronym for OutSide Cat at Rear.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2024
Hate to be a grouch when legions of social media film bros are breathlessly worshipping at the altar of The Demi-God of Cinema, George Miller, but Furiosa is a big step down from Mad Max: Fury Road.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Gary Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the brilliant grouch in question.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for grouch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grouch
Noun
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The faculty experience has been that administrations often side with the complainers.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Recognize Quieter Customers Celebrate the non-complainers.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While Shrek pouts about missing his solo ogre days, the dastardly Rumpelstiltskin takes advantage, offering him a contract to relive that romanticized time in his life — for a day.—
Skyler Trepel September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The unfiltered electric soundtrack of the Evija goes from a piercing whine to an ear-splitting shriek.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Jiang and his colleagues complain over video chat about their bland meals, but the people who produce, prepare and deliver the food remain invisible.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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Yost and others who opposed the sale of books from the library complained that HUC should not sell part of its collection to ease its financial problems.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Substitute crab for sautéed cooked shrimp.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Highlights include a shareable chef's whim butter board, baked crab dip, snow crab avocado stack, short rib mac and cheese, salt and vinegar fish and chips, bayou baby back ribs and prime grade filet mignon.—
Endia Fontanez,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Humane Law Enforcement is continuing its search, via cameras and traps, for any other pets in that apartment that may need help.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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But as someone who lives in an NYC apartment and doesn’t have the worries of car ownership or a pet to clean up after, the machine felt bulky and impractical for my lifestyle.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Kidman's complaint, obtained by The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, confirmed the two are living in separate Nashville homes.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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The grand jury indictment supersedes the criminal complaint and allows the criminal case to skip the preliminary hearing phase and move toward a trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the Target employees announced the launch, the fans screamed and were called up to the counter one by one.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grouch. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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