grunts 1 of 2

plural of grunt
1
as in murmurs
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

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2

grunts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grunt
as in mutters
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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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 grunts
Noun
The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reported that the family also experienced foul odors and heard pig grunts in the home. Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 There are layers of grunts and bangs; there is an increasingly insistent electronic score by Steve Jablonsky and, loudest of all, there are numerous ’70s needle drops that fully exploit the melodrama of prog rock. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025 During the day, fans can meander in and out of matches, keyed by the soundtrack of fervent applause in a close match, of grunts and skidding sneakers just a few feet away. Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Off somewhere, bull baboons are raising their woofing grunts again. Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025 With each successive exchange, the replying chorus added another member, until the air was filled with a continuous melody of bugles, grunts, cow/calf calls, whistles and chuckles. Jim Tschetter, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025 In the deciding tiebreak, having frittered away an earlier chance to serve out the match, Vavassori cranked serves and crushed overheads with primal grunts. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 After about an hour of following bushwhacking guides and slipping over an elephant trail twisting through the undergrowth, trumpets and guttural grunts pierced through the silence. Chris Schalkx, AFAR Media, 20 Aug. 2025 Let the grunts show it, especially in the red zone. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
But young Fraser barely grunts under the punishment, then puts his shirt back on and goes to see how Julia is doing. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grunts
Noun
  • The clank of armor, the murmurs of courtiers, and the soft glow of candlelight transform the castle into a truly immersive time capsule.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The Bearcats went 5-7 last season and there are plenty of murmurs about this being a make-or-break year for coach Scott Satterfield.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The grassroots Production Assistants United movement, born partially out of the 2023 strikes, got the backing of a local laborers union in 2024.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, blue-collar or trade laborers are expected to remain essential.
    Eyal Lifshitz, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Johnson exhorted at a Labor Day workers rally.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In 2025, workers will claim it when filing taxes in early 2026.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • From the first moment, the vibe is off, as Brady looks earnestly at Rooney, the England legend mumbles and gives vague answers.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Davis remembers hearing the whispers of concern.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • One storyline that will be at the forefront of season 3 centers on Wednesday's Aunt Ophelia, who's been spoken about in hushed whispers throughout season 2.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grunts. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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