grumbling 1 of 2

Definition of grumblingnext

grumbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle 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 grumbling
Verb
There was no fussing and fighting and grumbling or anything like that. — Scott Talley, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026 There was, unshockingly, grumbling around several of these expansions, too. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026 Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 To do so, the chain has invested in labor and renovations to its coffee houses, earning some grumbling from investors. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 July 2026 Drummer Jay Russell kept to stark rattles, Sam Shipstone patched in his scratchy electric guitar, and Ryan Needham needled through grumbling basslines. — Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 But there is some grumbling after Burnham removed several of Starmer’s senior ministers from the government including ex-Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, former Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 There is much grumbling and disagreement at her meeting of the Small Council. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 That sparked grumbling this week from students on social media. — Todd Wallack, Washington Post, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbling
Adjective
  • An energy vampire has bad body language, the complaining look on their face, the vocal complainer.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Most of the audience shots this year are screaming fans, whose enthusiasm is cute but not especially interesting.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Day is relieving tension from his long travel day, screaming wildly for his co-worker David.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Listen closely to the sound design and hear jets continually rumbling to and from LAX.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And Quentin Collette’s turbulent soundscape — rumbling, clanking, with the unrelenting downpour stirring in elemental fury — mixes seamlessly with the tense synth riffs of French electronic composer Robin Coudert, known professionally as ROB.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The death toll includes at least 19 children, 21 non-protesting civilians, and 165 in government or security forces.
    — The Hill, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Among the dead were 13 children and 14 non-protesting civilians, HRANA said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • For The Times) Courtney does great old ladies and whining teens, Michaels plays great curmudgeons and Palermo is great at space work.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Still, to Sandy, Joe’s whining is no reason to write him off altogether.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Dogs and cats may be triggered by this distinctive smell and show unusual behavior when skunks are nearby, such as sniffing or pawing the dirt around the burrow or becoming more protective by growling or hovering near the entrance.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Video captured from the drone’s perspective and released on Facebook, shows the frustrated bobcat standing by a staircase, growling and arching its back at the hovering machine.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, Plog placed a phone call to a relative and can be heard moaning and screaming in pain.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Hall wrote in his report that Hamilton lay down in the backseat of the police vehicle, moaning and not responding, prompting first responders to give him Narcan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbling. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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