as in muttering
speech that is not clear enough to be understood
the distracting mutter of some member of the audience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
a muttering group of workers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mumble
to speak softly and unclearly
muttering to himself under his breath
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 mutter
Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
In the village, men mutter about their land being taken over by outsiders.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mutter
Noun
To this day, the cooing and mutter of pigeons can lull me into a space of deep enjoyment.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Then, while there was still enough light to see them plainly, the two came stalking out of the brush, growling and muttering.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
In the village, men mutter about their land being taken over by outsiders.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mutter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutter
Verb
-
For years, critics of San Diego’s and California’s approaches have complained that millions and billions, respectively, have been spent to reduce homelessness, yet things just kept getting worse.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
According to state records, the Board of Pharmacy had referred the matter to the Board of Medicine after a patient of Hartsuch’s complained that his pharmacist refused to fill the physician’s prescription for ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Peters started to mumble, sway and close his eyes as the camera panned away.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 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
-
By pulling this string, the locals made an amplified grunting noise similar to that of a jaguar.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her screaming grounder to short caromed into left field and sent home Albon, who had singled and stole second.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Sandra Bullock asked a screaming crowd at CinemaCon on Tuesday, staring at Nicole Kidman.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The remark drew a mix of gasps, murmurs and laughs from others in the room.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ludwig murmured, the mist outside the window mostly covering the mountain.—
Kendra Atleework,
Longreads,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The tart’s crust was barely there, just a buttery whisper under the fruit.—
Michelle Huneven,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The World Bank’s climate strategy, which sets a climate lending target of 45%, expires in June, but discussions on a new plan are being relegated to whispers in corridors, The Guardian reports.—
Chloé Farand,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Zendaya's Rue thrives in her own weird little story, but Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) lacks a personality other than whining, Nate (Elordi) lacks a personality other than anger, and hyper-sexualized Maddie (Alexa Demie) lacks a personality other than blind ambition.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Get someone who spends more time trying to master the new model than whining about it.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Both governments still mouth the old slogans, by rote.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Or to sometimes instinctively mouth the words to Christmas carols the kids sang to him with tears or confusion in their eyes.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutter. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
