grumble 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grumblenext
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment a chorus of moans and grumbles when they found out that the overnight camping trip had been cancelled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grumble

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrəm-bəl How to pronounce grumble (audio)
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to growl
to make a low heavy rolling sound heavily loaded trucks grumbling as they passed over the steel bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 grumble
Noun
But officiating grumbles aside, Hamburg were the story, giving a magnificent performance in spite of the imbalance between the two teams. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 His 2025 tape, WOMB, embodied this through his pensive grumbles over wispy vocal chops; each bar that cut through the fog was steeped in sober gravitas. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Many of these same teen voters likely have parents who grumble about how nothing has changed regarding gun violence in this city, even though Illinois ranks among top states for the strictest gun laws in the nation. — Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Add in concerns about heat, commercialization—my son is among those grumbling about water breaks during games, even when temperatures are mild—and the sheer size of the tournament, and there appears to be no shortage of reasons to complain. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumble
  1. whine
  2. complain
  3. growl
  4. moan
  5. scream
  6. rumble
  7. complaint
Noun
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
  • Test recordings sounded clear and full, and the noise cancellation completely blocked out the buzz and whine of my 3D printer.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Also requested were documents related to a lawsuit, recently settled for $135,000, claiming Kramer had given an improper assessment of a property and retaliated against an employee who complained.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Gal and Amora barely know each other, and Jaiden and Caleb have been complaining about one another for the past three days.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
  • Could the growling creature be responsible for the gouges by Zampanò’s dead body?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026
Definition of growl
Noun
  • Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms.
    — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • The room received the work with laughter, snaps, and occasional utterances of that satisfied poetry moan.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • Police said that after the girl screamed, the video shows a man getting into his vehicle and driving away.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • This ground beef casserole will satisfy all the rumbling stomachs at your table.
    — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
  • The engine rumbles between your legs, the road streams beneath you, the curves beckon you onward.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of rumble
Noun
  • The air district is still encouraging residents to report odors to its online complaint system or by calling (800) 288-7664.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The dietitian thought there might be a correlation, according to an internal Abbott summary of the complaint shown during Colombo’s deposition.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

gruffness
grumble
grumbled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumble. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grumble for Spanish Speakers

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