1
as in complained
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day
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Recent Examples of grumbled
Robbins was replaced at center by Adam Treu, the Raiders lost 48-21 to a Bucs team led by former Raiders coach Jon Gruden and teammates openly grumbled about Robbins in the aftermath.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Judy Garland grumbled into a tape recorder in the mid-nineteen-sixties.
—Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Veterans on the starting defense grumbled.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Dallas stumbled, fumbled and grumbled its way to a 122-92 loss, which was somehow not its most lopsided game of the season.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
As a result, many in the baseball world have grumbled and groaned about the massive spending Los Angeles is doing on the open market.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The 59-year-old grumbled that gladhanding throngs of supporters in dusty villages had left him prey to bugs and viruses.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Legislators often grumbled about being squeezed by Newsom, but felt compelled — not always but most of the time — to go along.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 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
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Judy Garland grumbled into a tape recorder in the mid-nineteen-sixties.
—Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Veterans on the starting defense grumbled.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Dallas stumbled, fumbled and grumbled its way to a 122-92 loss, which was somehow not its most lopsided game of the season.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
As a result, many in the baseball world have grumbled and groaned about the massive spending Los Angeles is doing on the open market.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The 59-year-old grumbled that gladhanding throngs of supporters in dusty villages had left him prey to bugs and viruses.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Legislators often grumbled about being squeezed by Newsom, but felt compelled — not always but most of the time — to go along.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbled
Verb
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At that point, a strange odor in the cabin was reported, and flight attendants complained of sudden illness.—
Colleen Mondor,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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In the early days of COVID, people complained of losing their sense of taste or smell.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Come on, the gunman growled, turning and walking and beckoning with the pistol for Adi to follow.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tow truck operator screamed at the sedan’s driver.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The son screamed and stopped the attack.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Panthers fans excitedly rumbled in his mentions.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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Two skiers died and five others were injured on Saturday when an avalanche rumbled down on them in the Italian Alps, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the mountain rescue service said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Never whined, even as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play deteriorated last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.—
Lauren Caruba,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbled. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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