as in mutter
speech that is not clear enough to be understood
barely heard mutterings of discontent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in mumbling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
a muttering group of workers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murmuring
to speak softly and unclearly
muttering to himself under his breath
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muttering
Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The scent of vinegar fills the set, and a crew member wanders by muttering about dyeing Easter eggs.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Then, there’s a dramatic landscape by Jacob van Ruisdael, with gray clouds muttering on high and brighter blues impending in the sky below.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Past albums like Lyfë and 2093 were best experienced as hourslong excursions into illegible rage-rap experiences that washed over the listener, with Yeat’s voice muttering his harmonies amid glitchy laptop bangers.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.
—Andrew Martin, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
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
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
Verb
An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The scent of vinegar fills the set, and a crew member wanders by muttering about dyeing Easter eggs.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Then, there’s a dramatic landscape by Jacob van Ruisdael, with gray clouds muttering on high and brighter blues impending in the sky below.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Past albums like Lyfë and 2093 were best experienced as hourslong excursions into illegible rage-rap experiences that washed over the listener, with Yeat’s voice muttering his harmonies amid glitchy laptop bangers.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.
—Andrew Martin, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muttering
Noun
-
Six mutters and sighs and rolls his head as if profoundly exasperated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
The stop-motion digital series about a jolly, mumbling, pint-size cook serves up a big slice of serotonin.—
Sonal Dutt,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The amplifying of complaining subcontractors, always easy to find.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
But many Spotify users voiced displeasure at the change-up, with some complaining that the disco ball looked pixelated on a small phone screen and, generally, was visually displeasing.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Alejo listens carefully, occasionally offering a tissue or murmuring consolations.—
Megan Greenwell,
Bloomberg,
9 June 2026
-
All were filled with Chenier’s murmuring accordion, the rustle of a washboard player and slinky grooves.—
Kevin McKeough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 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
Adjective
-
Their biggest bats were sputtering, too.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
-
This one required extra innings and undid a late surge by their sputtering offense.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The cells are basically screaming ‘Hey, our DNA is getting cooked here,’ and that stimulates the pigment cell.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
-
Police said officers were dispatched after a caller reported hearing a woman screaming inside an apartment.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Those whispers turned into roars in the bottom of the fifth inning when PCA sent a screamer down the first-base line and cruised into second for a double.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
Supportive leaders use that higher vantage point to warn, way find, and whisper.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muttering. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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