mutter

verb

mut·​ter ˈmə-tər How to pronounce mutter (audio)
muttered; muttering; mutters
Synonyms of mutter

intransitive verb

1
: to utter sounds or words indistinctly or with a low voice and with the lips partly closed
… he gestured and muttered furiously in his lawyer's ear.—Tana French
2
: to murmur complainingly or angrily : grumble
Some employees muttered about the changes in the pension plan.

transitive verb

: to utter especially in a low or imperfectly articulated manner
muttered an apology
mutter noun
mutterer
ˈmə-tər-ər How to pronounce mutter (audio)
noun

Synonyms of mutter

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Examples of mutter in a Sentence

She angrily muttered something about her bad luck. She sat practicing her speech, muttering to herself. Some employees are muttering about the changes in the pension plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain. — Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 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 Sunsets are good — though be careful, because someone in the back will mutter something about solar panels. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 May 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 See All Example Sentences for mutter

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muteren, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutter was in the 14th century

Rhymes for mutter

See All Rhymes for mutter

Browse Nearby Words

mutt
mutter
mutterer
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Cite this Entry

“Mutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutter. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mutter

verb
mut·​ter ˈmət-ər How to pronounce mutter (audio)
1
: mumble entry 1 sense 1
2
: to murmur complainingly or angrily : grumble
mutter noun
mutterer
-ər-ər How to pronounce mutter (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on mutter

Nglish: Translation of mutter for Spanish Speakers

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