as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
a chorus of moans and grumbles when they found out that the overnight camping trip had been cancelled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grumble
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Its Amazon reviews are generally positive, the only real grumble being that the tripod could be a little sturdier.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Sure, there’s been grumbling and some burner phones and scrolling in the bathroom.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumble
Noun
The introduction of goal music when Chelsea score at Stamford Bridge has caused a proper kerfuffle, with an online petition and plenty of grumbles from supporters.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Its Amazon reviews are generally positive, the only real grumble being that the tripod could be a little sturdier.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Many conservatives are grumbling about dismantling the debt brake.
—Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Sure, there’s been grumbling and some burner phones and scrolling in the bathroom.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumble
Noun
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
-
Deciphering the vocalizations involves both sound and context, as a dog’s bark or whine may be tied to its situation, Zhu said.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Boston Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In recent years, staff have complained of poor working conditions brought on by overcrowding, despite director Laurence des Cars’s 2023 move to cap attendance at 30,000 visitors daily, accompanied by a ticket price increase.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Later that day, the parents of other dancers and talent-show participants complained that my afro had covered up their kids on-screen.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
How Popcorn Affects Your Stomach When your stomach starts growling between meals, popcorn might be just the thing to alleviate those annoying hunger pangs.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
22 Dec. 2025
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And as the person behind the camera approaches the pit bull, the dog growls and barks while standing in a fearful crouch.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Imagine a city street at dusk, silent save for the rising sound of a collective guttural moan.—
Tom Duszynski,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Stein’s bedroom adjoined the room where Dodge would visit her lover at night; kept awake by the murmurings and moans, Stein lit a candle and composed a portrait of her host.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chuck and Jim loved the sounds of spaghetti westerns, an influence instantly recognizable in the war-cry screaming sound that permeates his score.—
Bear McCreary,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The boats hit the Gulf of Mexico before dawn, engines rumbling out diesel smoke while dead-eyed gulls clear their throats and wait to feast on the fishermen’s leftovers.—
Dan Morrison,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Deep in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, a train rumbles down a rugged valley.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Until Verizon amends its complaint and the judge rules on the emergency request, there is no court directive preventing the association from moving forward with the rooftop work that Verizon says would interrupt wireless service in the area.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
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Beyond the service commitments, the complaint accuses HMM of conditioning access to space on the payment of peak season surcharges (PSS) and other extra-contractual fees—despite contract language that expressly barred such add-ons unless mutually agreed.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumble. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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