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
-
Chevron and the state have been in a tense relationship for years; Chevron moved its headquarters out of California in 2024 after complaining about state and local regulations, and is currently buying oil shipped through an offshore pipeline that California has attempted to keep shut down.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
22 May 2026
-
And now that the Knicks are on the road, Mamadani can get back to whatever issues the people of New York are complaining about in his comments section.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Gilbert, now imprisoned at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York, appeared gaunt and withdrawn during the interview, at times mumbling short responses before abruptly cutting the conversation short.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Six mutters and sighs and rolls his head as if profoundly exasperated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
The town's main thoroughfare, Anderson Avenue, is home to a buzzing variety of bars, restaurants, and shops.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In a moody backdrop echoing the track’s music video, the group brought their slick track to the thousands of screaming fans.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
-
As crews assessed the situation, the driver was heard screaming to a nearby officer that a baby was inside the vehicle.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Francis and Pierre start whispering behind closed doors to one another at night, plotting whether or not to flee for a neutral country.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
-
Then, after nearly a decade as a partner, that voice stopped whispering and started roaring.—
Suzanne Roske,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Murmuring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murmuring. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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