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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Nick Loftin then doubled in the third before Caglianone smashed his 21st homer to right field, inducing grumbles from the Dodger Stadium stands. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Later, another character in Dickensian period garb began asking him about fair wages, which drew only grumbles from Scrooge. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Verb
There was a parade, and the masses grumbled over the faint legitimacy of the ordeal. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Toward the end of first grade, Najya started complaining about lunchtime chaos in the cafeteria.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Patients, their families and lawyers have complained that Kaiser’s private and confidential system of handling medical malpractice complaints is designed to favor the health plan over those bringing the claims.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • This past spring, the singer-guitarist announced that hernia repair surgery left him with a six-and-a-half–inch scar and doctors’ orders never to growl again.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Dogs and cats may be triggered by this distinctive smell and show unusual behavior when skunks are nearby, such as sniffing or pawing the dirt around the burrow or becoming more protective by growling or hovering near the entrance.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of growl
Noun
  • Lori can hardly speak, relying on a young nurse who sits at her side to translate her low, pained moans.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.
    — Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • This exchange turns into Luann fully spiraling out, screaming about Porsha being two hours late to anybody who would listen.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In the locker room hallway, through the swinging doors behind The Swamp’s press room, voices screamed in.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • Pardo watched as another adult elephant, likely Matisse’s sister, rumbled from a distance before the family came together, uniting with another series of rumbles, as if saying hello.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The plane rumbled down the runway, picking up speed towards the roiling sea.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of rumble
Noun
  • As for his SpaceX funds, Meyer told investors in 2021 that a large purchase in SpaceX assets had closed even though the third-party fund that held the shares wouldn’t approve the transfer, the complaint states.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2020 lawsuit, Dougan alleged he was retaliated against after an investigation was conducted into a complaint of gender discrimination that originated in the Fire Department’s Communications Center.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

gruffness
grumble
grumbled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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