as in complaining
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
That has caused some grumbling in the industry, given some missing data and inaccuracies that have been found.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
This conservative grumbling soon grew into the Tea Party movement, which upended the Republican establishment.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
Many conservatives are grumbling about dismantling the debt brake.
—Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumbling
Verb
Arizona mounted a steady 76-yard drive moments later, capped by Deguara's first TD catch since 2021 to spark grumbling in SoFi Stadium.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
That has caused some grumbling in the industry, given some missing data and inaccuracies that have been found.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025
This conservative grumbling soon grew into the Tea Party movement, which upended the Republican establishment.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
Many conservatives are grumbling about dismantling the debt brake.
—Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbling
Verb
-
But the same town also was sued in November by Stillson LLC, a company complaining because zoners approved an 8-30g project.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
From bartenders in Virginia-Highland to servers in Alpharetta, several employees of food and drink businesses reported customers complaining about water that tastes like mildew.—
Sheeka Sanahori - For the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bass extension reaches down to a rumbling 5Hz, allowing low-frequency detail to be reproduced cleanly rather than boosted artificially.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Cellos and basses may be rumbling along on a frighteningly low melody, as the woodwinds are pecking like a riot in a chicken coop, while the high strings are sustaining a cluster of odd, disconcerting notes.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
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
-
Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
-
An exodus of prosecutors who didn’t care for his staff screaming sessions and boorish press conferences.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Upon entering the foyer, I was greeted by a growling animatronic Chewbacca, playfully adorned with a Christmas hat for the holiday season.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
-
As Dumars and Byrne, Damon and Affleck are reduced to growling law-enforcement speak, barking into walkie-talkies and carrying out every conversation while at least one hand rests on an automatic weapon—just in case someone bursts through the wall.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some had noisy bearings, which could sound like a whining noise.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Illinois Republicans have turned whining into an artform.—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While Slot was moaning about having to play two away matches in four days (and about missing a couple of key players), Emery, also without important figures such as Boubacar Kamara, was overseeing his Villa side playing the same tough schedule and win both games without conceding a goal.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
While lying on the pavement, he could be heard moaning as an officer shouted at him not to move.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
13 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbling. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
