grumbles 1 of 2

plural of grumble

grumbles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grumble

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 grumbles
Noun
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 His 2025 tape, WOMB, embodied this through his pensive grumbles over wispy vocal chops; each bar that cut through the fog was steeped in sober gravitas. Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026 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
All crowdfunding projects have an element of risk, but backers of the startup's first Kickstarter for an all-in-one smart telescope seem satisfied with their all-in-one smart telescope - shipping grumbles aside. New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026 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 In bleak midwinter, the wind swirls, the cold bites and grumbles over transport reach a crescendo. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 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
Noun
  • The Citizens Review Board, which reviews complaints about CMPD, has not responded to requests for comment.
    Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • The feud has gotten personal and heated recently, but the complaints date back years.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Adrian complains that McElwee, instead of making documentaries, should have followed the lucrative path of a Hollywood director, and even reproaches him for having turned down an offer to make a TV commercial.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
  • If he had been forced to stick with readily available materials, Rashid complains, the deck behind the house would have been green or brown.
    Dean Kaufman, Curbed, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The engine rumbles between your legs, the road streams beneath you, the curves beckon you onward.
    Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • As thunder rumbles over Mpophomeni, and the first drops of rain fall, children at the training field pull on hoodies and start to walk home, their dogs trotting faithfully alongside them.
    Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.
    Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
  • Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • Contrary to his radio silence at today’s hearings, one thing that screams with clarity is Fauci’s diary.
    Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • This halter-neck set just screams chic, and its flowy, breathable fabric is ideal for humid summer days.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • Griffith growls Griffith could be in position to win its first Greater South Shore Conference title since 2018.
    Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The dynamic underscores how Trump continues to view tariffs as a tool for exerting pressure, both for trade grievances and as leverage in broader negotiations.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • In recent years, Engelbert’s communication style has been criticized and magnified by these players who aren’t afraid to air their grievances publicly.
    Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Jessie whines about the good old days all the time — how fun is that?
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbles. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grumbles

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!