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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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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
-
Out of innumerable likely topics, Maher complains about folks who defend cats.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
The whole mountain rumbles when an avalanche rolls off it.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The people were lodging complaints about the government's intensifying crackdown on the internet that has seen regular shutdowns of cellphone internet connections, blocked popular messaging apps and cut access to thousands of other websites and digital services.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Lod listed several frequent complaints among Oiapoque residents, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, including overcrowded schools and the city’s only hospital operating at full capacity.—
Gabriela Sá Pessoa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So while Geely’s breakthrough screams potential, the supporting cast – grid capacity, charger density, and standardization – is still catching up.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The social media content that comes out of the sprawling music festival screams spontaneity, but industrious planning is often buzzing behind the scenes weeks, or sometimes even months, in advance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Only Hernandez, a fan favorite during his days in Toronto, was exempt from the fans’ airing of grievances.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Teamsters still claim that UPS never had the contractual right to offer driver buyouts, with the labor group and more than 30 of its local branches filing grievances after the program’s announcement.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
6 Apr. 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 11 Apr. 2026.
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