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
as in laborers
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 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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grunts
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The natural world is a cacophony of squawks, screeches, coos, chirps, whinnies, grunts, growls, and more.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2026
Ten minutes later the jaguar was only a quarter of a mile away, responding to the call with a loud series of grunts, very deep and coarse.
—Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Two of the monkeys had applauded the event with hopping and grunts, but the other three had shot like arrows into the trees, chasing after the peculiar bird that had remained indifferent to their antics.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Wrestlers are rewarded for greater effort, more force and louder grunts.
—Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
At the ciénega, Pitt noted the rhythmic grunts of a Yuma Ridgway’s rail, a resident marsh bird the size of a chicken that makes a racket but rarely shows itself among the reeds.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Their unpredictably left me exposed to noises like car horns, crying babies and gym bro grunts.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2025
One wag at the end of the table says that computer science is no longer the ticket to riches, too much vibe coding and artificial intelligence, then another says that management consulting is over, the AI grunts will do the basic MBA work.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Bachata played faintly, with plucky notes from the guitar cutting through cows' grunts.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
The natural world is a cacophony of squawks, screeches, coos, chirps, whinnies, grunts, growls, and more.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2026
Ten minutes later the jaguar was only a quarter of a mile away, responding to the call with a loud series of grunts, very deep and coarse.
—Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Two of the monkeys had applauded the event with hopping and grunts, but the other three had shot like arrows into the trees, chasing after the peculiar bird that had remained indifferent to their antics.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Wrestlers are rewarded for greater effort, more force and louder grunts.
—Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
At the ciénega, Pitt noted the rhythmic grunts of a Yuma Ridgway’s rail, a resident marsh bird the size of a chicken that makes a racket but rarely shows itself among the reeds.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Their unpredictably left me exposed to noises like car horns, crying babies and gym bro grunts.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2025
One wag at the end of the table says that computer science is no longer the ticket to riches, too much vibe coding and artificial intelligence, then another says that management consulting is over, the AI grunts will do the basic MBA work.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 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
-
Both threw cold water on those murmurs, reiterating love for their respective schools.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The off-court issues continue under Oats, with plenty of murmurs about how the Alabama head coach has elected to handle some of them.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In 2024, only 18% of construction laborers and 8% of retail workers in California were represented by a union.—
Nicole Macias Garibay,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Both were huge sums at a time when male farm laborers might make about 28 pounds annually if employed year-round.—
Will Glovinsky,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Behind every trauma and calamity, whether personal or global, whispers of Jewish machination can be heard by those already listening for them.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In this extraordinary moment, we're reminded that wisdom often comes in the smallest whispers, and true courage lies in following where we're led with childlike trust.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And so the actor and filmmaker ended up donating $250,000 worth of Visa gift cards to TSA workers at the Atlanta airport on March 27.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Quintal, who was transported to Broward Health Medical Center with injuries along with Wilson, was placed on workers’ comp leave.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, everyone is still running around like the Keystone Kops chasing Billie, passing an old lady in a bed eating Jell-O who mumbles something in Diné.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Grunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grunts. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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