as in muttering
speech that is not clear enough to be understood
his surprising announcement brought murmurings from the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in humming
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
no prisoner dared murmur out loud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mumbling
to speak softly and unclearly
a college professor who tends to murmur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murmuring
Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
His father trailed him on the ice, murmuring.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Rarely have Hunt’s compositions felt so jittery and full of life as the title track, which blooms from murmuring drones into shimmering bokehs of synth programming.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Two students have unrolled what looks like an incomplete treasure map, and lean over it with magnifying glasses, murmuring to one another.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Customers in the Dunkin’ have a similar response, murmuring and looking over their shoulders for the Accountant 2 actor.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
The eighth inning also featured a decision that had the Ballers dugout murmuring.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Shockwaves on prices and murmuring of massive layoffs abound at cocktail parties and in discussions with retail and brand executives alike.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
But many questions went unanswered, frustrating many murmuring and grumbling attendees.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
His father trailed him on the ice, murmuring.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Rarely have Hunt’s compositions felt so jittery and full of life as the title track, which blooms from murmuring drones into shimmering bokehs of synth programming.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Two students have unrolled what looks like an incomplete treasure map, and lean over it with magnifying glasses, murmuring to one another.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Customers in the Dunkin’ have a similar response, murmuring and looking over their shoulders for the Accountant 2 actor.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
The eighth inning also featured a decision that had the Ballers dugout murmuring.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murmuring
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
Adjective
-
The Colts’ offense is absolutely humming.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So, what Rodriguez and Cohen Higgins are complaining about is what happens four and five years or even ten years down the line.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
Follow these mowing etiquette tips to avoid being the one that your neighbors are complaining about on Reddit.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To this day, the cooing and mutter of pigeons can lull me into a space of deep enjoyment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Along my walkway and all over my neighborhood, nasturtium flowers are opening like bright orange suns, fragrant lavender is attracting buzzing bees, and rosemary bushes are beginning to brighten with baby blue flowers.—
Senior Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
Drawing inspiration from both family recipes and a buzzing street food culture, Ngon’s dishes are vibrant and packed with flavor.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her father and cousin had come looking for her, and were screaming outside.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong let a rival fan have it during a heated, NSFW screaming match on Sunday, playing the White Sox.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Then, after nearly a decade as a partner, that voice stopped whispering and started roaring.—
Suzanne Roske,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Smaller seats, less legroom, meals on a budget, and now someone whispering indiscreet sweet nothings to their lover in my ear.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Murmuring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murmuring. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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