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

Certain organizations, like the Baltimore Orioles, are notorious for never having enough arms, which can lead to grumbling from teams that do, like the Tampa Bay Rays. — Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Add in concerns about heat, commercialization—my son is among those grumbling about water breaks during games, even when temperatures are mild—and the sheer size of the tournament, and there appears to be no shortage of reasons to complain. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Reddit commenters are grumbling about the no-bag policy, though many seem to accept it as the price of a global festival in 2026. — Steven Blum, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026

There was some grumbling about a potential slight of pelicans and whether flamingos should be considered native to Florida. — Douglas Hanks may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

In the meantime, however, there is also grumbling that their party isn’t doing enough to address rising costs. — Mike Lillis, The Hill, 4 May 2026

But many questions went unanswered, frustrating many murmuring and grumbling attendees. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

There has been some grumbling about the health plan changes on writers’ private Facebook groups. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026

There was some grumbling at the outset—mostly about cutting down trees—but everybody soon went all in on this one. — Joshua Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026