grumble 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grumblenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grumble

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrəm-bəl How to pronounce grumble (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to growl
to make a low heavy rolling sound heavily loaded trucks grumbling as they passed over the steel bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 grumble
Noun
The emissions testing requirement still receives many a grumble from those who have to do it. — Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026 But officiating grumbles aside, Hamburg were the story, giving a magnificent performance in spite of the imbalance between the two teams. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
But there is some grumbling after Burnham removed several of Starmer’s senior ministers including ex-Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, former Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 There is much grumbling and disagreement at her meeting of the Small Council. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumble
  1. whine
  2. complain
  3. growl
  4. moan
  5. scream
  6. rumble
  7. complaint
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Parents keep complaining to me that their kids are sedentary at school, even though humans need to keep moving throughout the day to be healthy.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • As Koji’s character is thrust into a cage at an underground prison brawl, Momoa’s Blanka can be heard growling off screen.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
Definition of growl
Noun
  • In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.
    — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
  • Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • Contrary to his radio silence at today’s hearings, one thing that screams with clarity is Fauci’s diary.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • The Jets offseason didn’t scream planning for the future after bringing in Demario Davis (37), Geno Smith (35), David Onyemata (33), Tim Patrick (32) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (29).
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • More news The Arizona Cardinals and their starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, had been in a rumbling contract dispute in the early days of training camp.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will face the greatest risk as the storms skirt the uppermost edge of a heat dome across the Plains and rumble through eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, fueled by ample amounts of heat and humidity.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of rumble
Noun
  • The Star obtained a copy of the warrant and criminal complaint.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The feud has gotten personal and heated recently, but the complaints date back years.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

gruffness
grumble
grumbled
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Cite this Entry

“Grumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumble. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grumble for Spanish Speakers

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