1
as in complainer
an irritable and complaining person
an uncle who is a real grouch when he's sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
always seems to be grouching about the weather
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grouch
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
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
See All Example Sentences for grouch
Noun
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
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
See All Example Sentences for grouch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grouch
Noun
-
If family needs cause drama, set kind boundaries and explain them to any complainers.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The faculty experience has been that administrations often side with the complainers.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
-
And now, Mikayla is grumpy, and Jace pouts on a hay bale.—
Olivia Crandall,
Vulture,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second-largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Other conservatives have also complained about Bad Bunny performing in Spanish.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And there are plenty more infant critters in these Wildlife Photographer of the Year images, including a possum, a crab, kestrels and bear cubs galore.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Dinner is a playground of refreshing charm and joyful abandon; expect fresh takes like cavatelli with pepperoni butter or spaghetti alla chitarra with crab and tomato gravy.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Police warned boaters and ice fishers along the river to keep an eye on any small pets.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That was despite Kaley’s mother’s attempts to use third-party software to block access to the platforms, according to her complaint.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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In 2021, the phone call from Rhoades at the insurance department described 50-plus complaints.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Beach’s daughter screamed to responding officers that her children were wounded inside.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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Let’s talk about the Black Banquet and Yam Yam screaming your name.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grouch. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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