as in whines
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 complains
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
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Recent Examples of grumbles
Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
But officiating grumbles aside, Hamburg were the story, giving a magnificent performance in spite of the imbalance between the two teams.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
My gut, which is enormously large, grumbles that coach Ime Udoka may want to continue trotting out length and size when everyone’s healthy, which would relegate Sheppard back to a reserve role.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Notice who stands to applaud your wins and who grumbles.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
And perhaps some—Ho Jin just barks at him to take it all and grumbles that Ji Seon is a bad influence.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
And Paleo Dad grumbles but goes and picks up his spear.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
But officiating grumbles aside, Hamburg were the story, giving a magnificent performance in spite of the imbalance between the two teams.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Your 12th House of Inner Worlds hums as the Moon grumbles at combative Mars in your philosophical 9th house, making private worries flare when big debates start circling.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
My gut, which is enormously large, grumbles that coach Ime Udoka may want to continue trotting out length and size when everyone’s healthy, which would relegate Sheppard back to a reserve role.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Notice who stands to applaud your wins and who grumbles.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
And perhaps some—Ho Jin just barks at him to take it all and grumbles that Ji Seon is a bad influence.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
And Paleo Dad grumbles but goes and picks up his spear.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbles
Verb
-
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Everyone complains about how expensive EVs are.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The first one arrives after 10 this evening and will bring rain, and some storm rumbles to our area.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
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The whole mountain rumbles when an avalanche rolls off it.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Despite numerous complaints to health inspectors from elderly people that Salmos 23 left them wanting the most basic necessities — like toilet paper — DCF chose it as a refuge over hundreds of other homes.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Deed theft is essentially when someone steals a house, often forging the paperwork, and data obtained by CBS News New York shows a 240% increase in complaints to the New York Attorney General's Office from 2023 to 2025.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An explosion of green paint can be seen as Islas stumbles and screams in pain.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Slayr raps, sings, and screams across this thing, producing most of it himself with frequent contributions from the producer wa.—
Mano Sundaresan,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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China holds Tibet without noticeable bother, commits crimes against its Uyghur Muslim minority with impunity, launches acts of aggression against its neighbors in the South China Sea, and growls off any court or tribunal that looks askance—which few do.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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And as the person behind the camera approaches the pit bull, the dog growls and barks while standing in a fearful crouch.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Invention of the ‘Stewart-Brunson Fracture’ Stewart didn’t just come to air grievances.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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The 28-year-old’s frustrations came to the fore again after the Red Bull driver finished eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, venting his grievances to the media after the race.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The legislation behind this flurry of warnings and laments is Assembly Bill 1207, which emerged from backroom negotiations last September.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Leading a group of seasoned musicians that includes guitarist Adam Brisbin and harp player Mary Lattimore, and working once again with Krivchenia as his producer, Meek continues to revel in the role of traditional troubadour of mid-tempo laments with heavy gestures to Buffalo Springfield.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbles. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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