MURMUR Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

murmur 1 of 2

noun

ˈmər-mər

Definition of murmur

as in whine

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment finished the tedious job without a murmur

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in muttering

speech that is not clear enough to be understood could just barely hear the murmurs of the audience

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murmur

2 of 2

verb

as in to complain

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely no prisoner dared murmur out loud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to mutter

to speak softly and unclearly a college professor who tends to murmur

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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 murmur

Noun

Loud talking or splashing can disturb other bathers, so just slip into the water and keep your conversations to a murmur. — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 As Ghana pushed for an equalizing goal, the cheers of the Colombia faithful reverted to a nervous murmur. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026

Verb

All were filled with Chenier’s murmuring accordion, the rustle of a washboard player and slinky grooves. — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026 Back through the hotel, past the large lobby bar where deal-making was already murmuring in every corner, and out into the garden where the jasmine caught me again. — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for murmur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for murmur

Noun

Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.

— Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

Definition of whine

Verb

Kayley starts service with a positive attitude, hoping to give the guests no reason to complain.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
That Sean Payton won by 20 on the road and still spent a good chunk of his postgame presser either complaining, yammering about Jack Lemmon, or both, is a heck of a good sign.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of complain

Verb

That’s when Way mutters the p-word — under his breath for plausible deniability, but certainly still with the intention of being heard, smirking at the sound of my laughter.

— Selome Hailu, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
This was 1872, and the pious (and patronizing) commentators of the time muttered that Damien’s unvarnished personality was due to his simple farm upbringing in rural Belgium.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Definition of mutter

Noun

Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Fourteen people were on board, including him — exceeding the vessel’s maximum capacity of 10 people — according to the complaint, which noted that Hernandez did not know the boat’s maximum capacity.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of complaint

Noun

Moves for Anan Khalaili and Zavier Gozo are being finalised, and with both able to play right wing-back, there are whispers Daniel Munoz may be sold.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
That is, the ability to provide the benefits of modern speech interfaces without the need for users to speak audibly, even at a whisper.

— Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of whisper

Verb

She was awakened in the middle of the night by her barking dog and the sound of a woman screaming in the street.

— City News Service, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Audio from her cousin's phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service captured 15-year-old Layan describing the chaotic scene around her, amid the sound of gunfire and screaming, before the call dropped.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of scream

Verb

The convex-concave curves of the open and closed parentheses cup something said by the way, whisperings, secrets mouthed into the reader’s ear, mumbled under the author’s breath.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Later that day, Rowley was drenched in sweat, rocking back and forth and mumbling incoherently as the poison – later identified as Novichok, a Russian nerve agent – took hold of him, too.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of mumble

Browse Nearby Words

murky

murmur

murmured

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Style

“Murmur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murmur. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of murmur

noun

verb

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