as in complainer
an irritable and complaining person
a real grump in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
those incessantly grumping patients were generally ignored by the nursing home staff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pout
to silently go about in a bad mood
he's been grumping about the house all morning because the golf tournament got rained out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grump
David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
But beyond that, there’s a sense among sports fans in general — and hockey grumps in particular — that South Florida doesn’t deserve its success.
—Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Sarah Todd, Quartz, 13 July 2021
However, George did join William and Kate on their tour of Australia in 2014 and was the grumpiest grump that ever grumped.
—Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, 24 June 2019
See All Example Sentences for grump
Noun
Cross serves the town of Eddington as a useless figure of authority—a shiftless, asthmatic grump who mumbles complaints at lawbreakers and halfheartedly manages a staff of cops at his office.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
But beyond that, there’s a sense among sports fans in general — and hockey grumps in particular — that South Florida doesn’t deserve its success.
—Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Verb
For someone who felt exhausted by putting on a faux-happy face at work every day, the return might be a chance to establish boundaries and a reputation for being an authentic (but still likable) grump.
—Sarah Todd, Quartz, 13 July 2021
However, George did join William and Kate on their tour of Australia in 2014 and was the grumpiest grump that ever grumped.
—Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, 24 June 2019
See All Example Sentences for grump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grump
Noun
-
If family needs cause drama, set kind boundaries and explain them to any complainers.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The faculty experience has been that administrations often side with the complainers.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second-largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Other conservatives have also complained about Bad Bunny performing in Spanish.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wasn’t blaming the losses on the players, wasn’t pouting about it.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
My introduction to Peters came late last year, when Instagram’s algorithm served me a video of him wearing a baseball cap, primping and pouting for the camera.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And there are plenty more infant critters in these Wildlife Photographer of the Year images, including a possum, a crab, kestrels and bear cubs galore.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Dinner is a playground of refreshing charm and joyful abandon; expect fresh takes like cavatelli with pepperoni butter or spaghetti alla chitarra with crab and tomato gravy.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The work that doesn’t scream the loudest internally but decides who wins externally.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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Vonn was heard screaming in pain while lying in the snow before she was airlifted off the course.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Do not turn that frown upside down.—
Emma Li,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Referencing hobbies, especially more niche ones, might be frowned upon in more straitlaced sectors but may help your case in a more creative industry.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Americans, meanwhile, stayed on their best, most humble behavior afterward, trying not to poke the wounded bear.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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El Dorado County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents after a man impersonating a deputy pulled over and assaulted a driver last week on a county road before the driver used bear spray to get away.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But students who are spending their time protesting, whining about the grading system and seeking easy classes don’t seem to fit that mold.—
Mitch Zimmer,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grump. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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