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
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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
Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Its Amazon reviews are near universally positive, with the only grumble being that the voice change could be better.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Last month, Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, grumbled on X that her follower count was not growing.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumble
Noun
Like Crane, his club-specific grumbles soon morph into broader state-of-the-game concerns.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Its Amazon reviews are near universally positive, with the only grumble being that the voice change could be better.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Verb
My father was also sullen from the vodka, and after grumbling some would fall asleep on his grungy sleeper berth.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Last month, Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, grumbled on X that her follower count was not growing.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumble
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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Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Come on, the gunman growled, turning and walking and beckoning with the pistol for Adi to follow.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Upon entering the foyer, I was greeted by a growling animatronic Chewbacca, playfully adorned with a Christmas hat for the holiday season.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bill Belichick’s resume screams one-way ticket to Canton, Ohio, but when he wasn’t voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many were left flabbergasted on Tuesday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The city rumbles occasionally, a reminder that Mount Vesuvius, though considered dormant, could flare to life at any moment.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In the final minute, Lakers fans rumbled the arena with a collective chant calling for Bronny James to enter the game.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cumming said the city's information technology department also abruptly cut off part of her office administrator's access, including the ability to see who else in city government may be looking at whistleblower complaints and documents related to ethics investigations.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Schlegel is expected to be charged via federal criminal complaint with assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with Tuesday's shooting, Janke said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumble. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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