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mutter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of mutternext
as in muttering
speech that is not clear enough to be understood the distracting mutter of some member of the audience

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mutter

2 of 2

verb

ˈmə-tər How to pronounce mutter (audio)
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely a muttering group of workers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mumble
to speak softly and unclearly muttering to himself under his breath

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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 mutter
Noun
Alice questions Mira while Frank mutters completely unhelpful asides from behind the glass partition. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026 Six mutters and sighs and rolls his head as if profoundly exasperated. — Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Verb
Now, for the second straight summer, 49ers training camp goes on without him on the sideline — strolling, watching, eavesdropping, muttering. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Wilde read on social media that the tune actually inspired a movie theater meet-cute, as Nash mutters profanity mid-song. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mutter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutter
  1. muttering
  2. complain
  3. mumble
  4. grunting
  5. scream
  6. murmur
  7. whisper
  8. whine
Noun
  • From the first take to the last, the scene evolves quite dramatically, and the final take is the one that most closely resembles the scene in the finished episode (though, sadly, Ned’s introductory muttering seems to have been cut for time).
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of muttering
Verb
  • Toward the end of first grade, Najya started complaining about lunchtime chaos in the cafeteria.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Patients, their families and lawyers have complained that Kaiser’s private and confidential system of handling medical malpractice complaints is designed to favor the health plan over those bringing the claims.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • My brother looks at the floor, mumbles something, and then shuffles away from the table.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • After one take — which is usually not worth the celluloid it’s printed on, as the crew and the artists find their feet — Axl mumbled something about being freaked out and disappeared back into the depths of the building.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of mumble
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
Definition of grunting
Verb
  • This exchange turns into Luann fully spiraling out, screaming about Porsha being two hours late to anybody who would listen.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In the locker room hallway, through the swinging doors behind The Swamp’s press room, voices screamed in.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • Moments later, murmurs, then cheers, rippled out from where Pasitney, Gaudry, and Espersen stood.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • During a mound visit in the top of the first inning with the Colorado Rockies already trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by two runs, a lone voice of encouragement emerged from an otherwise restless and murmuring crowd at Coors Field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of murmur
Noun
  • At a time when so much contemporary art jockeys to be spectacular, Op de Beeck’s whispers, both commanding and requiring your attention.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In a fitting homage, the whiskey's whisper of a smoky, campfire-like finish sets it apart among Kentucky's expansive bourbon scene.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of whisper
Verb
  • For The Times) Courtney does great old ladies and whining teens, Michaels plays great curmudgeons and Palermo is great at space work.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Andrew whines about the prattling women who’ve infiltrated his home, firmly establishing that all men are, in fact, terrible.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of whine

Browse Nearby Words

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mutter
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Cite this Entry

“Mutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutter. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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