1
as in complainer
an irritable and complaining person
an uncle who is a real grouch when he's sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
always seems to be grouching about the weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grouch
Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Lisa and Abe will always be grouches, but there is value in being the antithesis.
26.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Warm feelings fueled by the wonder and kindness of the season, inspired by the transformative and timeless experiences of Ebenezer Scrooge who changed from a selfish, penny-pinching grouch, into a generous, happy and altruistic person.
—Eric C. Shuster, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
The Grinch, a furious grouch living on the outskirts of Whoville, decides to ruin the holiday by posing as Santa Claus and stealing everyone’s presents, decorations, and feasts.
—EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for grouch
Noun
It’s painted Ulrich as a public grouch ever since; the out-of-touch rich rock star who wants to fight for every dime.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Lisa and Abe will always be grouches, but there is value in being the antithesis.
26.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Warm feelings fueled by the wonder and kindness of the season, inspired by the transformative and timeless experiences of Ebenezer Scrooge who changed from a selfish, penny-pinching grouch, into a generous, happy and altruistic person.
—Eric C. Shuster, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
The Grinch, a furious grouch living on the outskirts of Whoville, decides to ruin the holiday by posing as Santa Claus and stealing everyone’s presents, decorations, and feasts.
—EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for grouch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grouch
Noun
-
The pervasive popularity of the show and its creator will be the reason the complainers have no voice.—
Rich Heldenfels,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
-
An energy vampire has bad body language, the complaining look on their face, the vocal complainer.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cheers to hydrated pouts ahead!—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The squalane superstar makes pouts smoother, shinier, and plumper over time, which are all desirable adjectives in context of being as camera-ready as ever.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both motors stay at or below 45 dBA even at full power, something that will genuinely surprise anyone used to the whine of current-generation motors.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 10,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The whine from that straight-cut gearbox alone is painfully loud, say nothing of the wide-open exhaust on the 4.0 L flat-six.—
Tim Stevens,
ArsTechnica,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Landlords also complained some tenants took advantage of the moratorium to live rent free.—
Michael Casey,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Local Republicans including unsuccessful mayoral candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra urged angry parents to turn out at a council meeting to complain, and there have been extensive Facebook discussions condemning the city budget.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The menu leans into coastal favorites, with crowd-pleasers like hush puppies, she-crab soup, and crab cakes.—
Abby Price,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
The brunch includes quiche Lorraine, crab and asparagus salad, breakfast potatoes and lemon-poppy cake and includes simple heating instructions.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Parties and pets are not allowed, and no children under age 10 can use the hot tub.—
Hali Smith
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
-
To toggle your new pet off and on, type /pet into the composer, then use Wake Pet or Tuck Away Pet in Settings > Appearance.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The fraud scheme netted $20 million from fraudulent loans that Davis and Evins used to buy real estate, jewelry and cars, according to the complaint.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After Navarro filed a complaint alleging the work had been wrongly kept from her, a Madrid judge, acting with the support of prosecutors, ordered Spain’s Ministry of Culture to take custody of it citing its potential importance to the country’s historical heritage.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One resident wakes up to a hooded stranger preparing to stab her and silently points them to her sleeping husband rather than scream.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
On the bright side for Smith, he's still getting paid millions to scream into a camera and show up courtside to stir drama.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grouch. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
