grunt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of gruntnext
1
as in grunting
speech that is not clear enough to be understood preoccupied with what he was doing, the mechanic gave only a grunt when I asked when the car would be ready

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in laborer
a person who does very hard or dull work we have an opening in the warehouse if you don't mind doing grunt work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grunt

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrənt How to pronounce grunt (audio)
as in to mutter
to speak softly and unclearly was so absorbed with the video game that when asked what he wanted for dinner, he just grunted

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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 grunt
Noun
From a grunt to a poem, Robin just has such a sweetness to it. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 Imagine having to sit through that grunt-fest and not even receiving an outcome. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 22 June 2026
Verb
Castellanos builds a Macbeth who grunts and snarls, constantly pacing the boards with eyes focused forward for the next move as well as behind for danger that lurks nearby. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2026 Once their tray was stuffed with Terry Black’s brisket, pork ribs, dino ribs, sausage and turkey, Heder and Ramirez both carried the tray off the table, grunting. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grunt
  1. grunting
  2. laborer
  3. mutter
  4. muttering
  5. worker
  6. mumble
  7. whisper
  8. murmur
Noun
  • By pulling this string, the locals made an amplified grunting noise similar to that of a jaguar.
    — Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of grunting
Noun
  • On July 1, a laborer was working in a trench about 10 feet deep in Livingston County, tying down an industrial storage tank, when the trench collapsed, trapping him.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • His articles argued that migrant laborers were essential to California agriculture yet often faced hostility, poverty and unsafe living conditions.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of laborer
Verb
  • Wilde read on social media that the tune actually inspired a movie theater meet-cute, as Nash mutters profanity mid-song.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Bat met ball and, under his breath, Astros manager Joe Espada muttered an expletive.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of mutter
Noun
  • The opportunity to send a raucous Bell Centre crowd home muttering was there in Game 3.
    — Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of muttering
Noun
  • Buses come and go, bearing workers from all over the country.
    — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026
  • Childs has been running Bectu, which represents the interests of behind-the-camera workers across TV, film and theater, since 2018, overseeing 10,000 new subscribers and an expansion into areas like live events and fashion.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Definition of worker
Verb
  • Next up, maybe lawmakers can do something about overly soft, mumbling dialogue preceded by deafening explosions.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • This succession was muddied thanks to the meddling of the King’s Hand, Otto Hightower, and the king’s own mumbled words on his deathbed to his wife, Alicent.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of mumble
Noun
  • But eccentricity is only the visible tip of the vast iceberg of Vibeke’s mental health issues, and soon Karl and Rikke are conferring in low whispers about whether, and when, to slip some ground-up sleeping pills into her drink.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
  • Students enter the classroom about a minute later, and voices, whispers and laughter can be heard before the recording ends.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • Or at least squeezed in a solid couch nap with baseball/golf/soccer/primo history programming murmuring in the background.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 22 June 2026
  • Yoon murmurs something into her ear.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Definition of murmur

Browse Nearby Words

grungy
grunt
grunted
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Cite this Entry

“Grunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grunt. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grunt

Nglish: Translation of grunt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grunt

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