Synonyms of grumble

grumble 1 of 2

noun

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

• whine
• moan
• complaint
• fuss
• lament
• bitch
• grievance
• whimper
• gripe
• murmur
• squawk
• grouse
• wail
• whinge
• bleat
• carp
• holler
• yammer
• kvetch
• beef
• protest
• plaint
• grouch
• objection
• quibble
• miserere
• challenge
• demur
• stink
• remonstrance
• expostulation
• niggle
• kick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• compliment
• commendation
• applause
• approval
• plaudit
• acclaim
• sanction
• endorsement

grumble

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrəm-bəl 

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

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan
• mutter
• worry
• growl
• murmur
• cry
• squeal
• squawk
• whimper
• bitch
• kick
• nag
• gripe
• whinge
• wail
• inveigh
• grouse
• kvetch
• repine
• holler
• bleat
• keen
• bellyache
• yammer
• beef
• grump
• caterwaul
• fuss
• grouch
• croak
• kick up a fuss
• grizzle
• carp
• protest
• yowl
• crab
• yawp
• sob
• maunder
• quibble
• cavil
• quarrel (with)
• object (to)
• lament
• fret
• bemoan
• bewail
• stew
• blubber
• deplore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoice
• delight
• accept
• tolerate
• take
• endure
• bear
• crow
• cheer
• applaud
• commend
• countenance

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

• growl
• rumble
• roll
• thunder
• lumber
• drum
• bellow
• boom

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grumble

Noun

His 2025 tape, WOMB, embodied this through his pensive grumbles over wispy vocal chops; each bar that cut through the fog was steeped in sober gravitas. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026

Beyond the pedestrianized streets and bike lanes, the familiar cacophony of drivers honking their frustration is, if anything, louder than ever — as are the grumbles from those who rely on buses now snarled in endless jams. — Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

Verb

The grant program is administered by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, or SEEC, Connecticut’s elections watchdog, and campaign treasurers grumble and groan to this day about nit-picking SEEC expenditures accountability requirements. — Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 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