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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 grunt
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2026
The crowd erupted in hearty grunts and boos after the error.
—
Kendall Staton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Immediately as Silva got out of his SUV, he was shot in the hand and soon after in the head, grunting and groaning in pain as blood spatter suddenly appeared on his uniform sleeve.
—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grunt
Noun
Most fights consist of dealing with waves of basic grunts with the occasional bruiser or shooter thrown in to keep you on edge.
—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2026
The crowd erupted in hearty grunts and boos after the error.
—
Kendall Staton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
Verb
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
Immediately as Silva got out of his SUV, he was shot in the hand and soon after in the head, grunting and groaning in pain as blood spatter suddenly appeared on his uniform sleeve.
—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grunt
Noun
-
By pulling this string, the locals made an amplified grunting noise similar to that of a jaguar.
Noun
-
For American diners of diverse backgrounds, chop suey struck an enticing balance between novelty and decipherability, which propelled it to national popularity even as the US government moved to exclude Chinese laborers from entering the country in 1882.
-
Filipino laborers came to Mexico via colonialism, and adapted and adopted champoy with spices and chilies from Mexico to become chamoy.
Verb
-
In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.
-
An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.
Noun
-
The opportunity to send a raucous Bell Centre crowd home muttering was there in Game 3.
Noun
-
In reality, though, most workers don’t get to retire on their own terms.
-
Protests, backed by workers unions, farmers and supporters of former President Evo Morales, are demanding Paz resign.
Verb
-
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.
-
Claiborne mumbled his responses to questions.
Noun
-
Theories, speculation and whispers were hard to ignore, but even harder to prove.
-
The whispers about the 41-year-old turned louder.
Verb
-
Yoon murmurs something into her ear.
-
There are also murmurs about the US government wanting a stake in the company.
Cite this Entry
“Grunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grunt. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
