Synonyms of grumbling

grumbling 1 of 2

adjective

as in complaining

Related Words

• complaining
• protesting
• griping
• kvetching
• whining
• fussing
• squawking
• unforgiving
• uncompromising
• impatient
• unyielding
• intolerant

Dissimilar Words

• abiding
• patient
• enduring
• tolerant
• accepting
• willing
• forbearing
• forgiving
• uncomplaining
• resigned
• long-suffering
• indulgent

grumbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grumble

1

as in screaming

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complaining
• screaming
• whining
• moaning
• muttering
• growling
• murmuring
• worrying
• grousing
• whimpering
• griping
• bitching
• squealing
• squawking
• kicking
• nagging
• crying
• yammering
• wailing
• hollering
• carping
• bellyaching
• whinging
• kvetching
• inveighing
• bleating
• repining
• yowling
• grouching
• grumping
• keening
• beefing
• fussing
• grizzling
• caterwauling
• protesting
• crabbing
• yawping
• croaking
• maundering
• sobbing
• kicking up a fuss
• quibbling
• quarreling (with)
• objecting (to)
• fretting
• stewing
• lamenting
• blubbering
• bewailing
• bemoaning
• caviling
• deploring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• delighting
• accepting
• taking
• enduring
• tolerating
• bearing
• crowing
• cheering
• applauding
• commending
• countenancing

2

as in rumbling

to make a low heavy rolling sound

heavily loaded trucks grumbling as they passed over the steel bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rumbling
• growling
• rolling
• drumming
• thundering
• bellowing
• booming
• lumbering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grumbling

Verb

Throughout the recording, Taylor makes dramatic leaps from grumbling rhythms in his piano’s lower register and dizzying runs in its upper reaches. — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026

As a cabaret musician who entertains the troops, Penélope Cruz is a wickedly brassy marvel—vamping up a storm one minute, grumbling about her menstrual cycle the next, and eventually coaxing even Sebastián out of his mopey shell. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026

The documentary premiered on the BBC first, which is how American embassy workers and journalists based in the UK got a look at the film — and started grumbling. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Coopop Except there’s no gasoline engine grumbling beneath it. — New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2026

Consumers are understandably grumbling that prices are way up on food and gasoline. — Merrill Matthews, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Know More Waters is one of a number of senior members of Congress that fellow Democrats are grumbling about in private for being delinquent on their dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Hollywood is filled with book-to-screen adaptations that have ignited grumbling and spirited debates. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

There was no fussing and fighting and grumbling or anything like that. — Scott Talley, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026