1
as in complained
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 grumbled
For decades, Yankees players, for the most part, grumbled but complied.
—
Marc Edelman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Some Russian cheerleaders of the war grumbled on social media that a deal with the United States could sell out the soldiers on the battlefield.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The Bruins fell to non-basketball powers like Nebraska and Rutgers, as well as Maryland and Michigan, all while fifth-year coach Mick Cronin grumbled about Big Ten travel and the absurdity of spending nearly 10 days straight back east.
—Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
Tarp quipped that Queen initially grumbled at the abundance of exercises, but has since engaged in them without any prompting from Tarp.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2025
Some members of the conservative Arizona Freedom Caucus publicly grumbled after he was selected to lead the chamber by secret ballot.
—Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
While several teams reportedly grumbled about the terms behind closed doors, the weight of financial considerations and potential consequences, such as losing charter status, compelled many to accept the deal.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Leeds fans have grumbled plenty about their five travelling draws and two defeats (at Millwall and Blackburn); but Watford supporters have seen their side lose seven of 11 away and after the latest loss, at Burnley, manager Tom Cleverley did not disguise his annoyance.
—Michael Walker, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Nick Saban never grumbled when his coaches moved up to coordinators or were hired away to become head coaches for other teams.
—Edward Tuorinsky, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Marc Edelman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Some Russian cheerleaders of the war grumbled on social media that a deal with the United States could sell out the soldiers on the battlefield.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The Bruins fell to non-basketball powers like Nebraska and Rutgers, as well as Maryland and Michigan, all while fifth-year coach Mick Cronin grumbled about Big Ten travel and the absurdity of spending nearly 10 days straight back east.
—Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
Tarp quipped that Queen initially grumbled at the abundance of exercises, but has since engaged in them without any prompting from Tarp.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2025
Some members of the conservative Arizona Freedom Caucus publicly grumbled after he was selected to lead the chamber by secret ballot.
—Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
While several teams reportedly grumbled about the terms behind closed doors, the weight of financial considerations and potential consequences, such as losing charter status, compelled many to accept the deal.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Leeds fans have grumbled plenty about their five travelling draws and two defeats (at Millwall and Blackburn); but Watford supporters have seen their side lose seven of 11 away and after the latest loss, at Burnley, manager Tom Cleverley did not disguise his annoyance.
—Michael Walker, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Nick Saban never grumbled when his coaches moved up to coordinators or were hired away to become head coaches for other teams.
—Edward Tuorinsky, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbled
complained
Verb
-
The year before, the prison had been the site of two back-to-back riots in which inmates had burned mattresses to protest inadequate medical care and the persistent use of solitary confinement to punish prisoners who complained.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2025
-
The companies have complained about a lack of due process throughout the review.—
Jeff Stein AND David J. Lynch The Washington Post,
arkansasonline.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbled. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share