murmur 1 of 2

noun

ˈmər-mər How to pronounce murmur (audio)
Definition of murmurnext
1
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment finished the tedious job without a murmur

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in muttering
speech that is not clear enough to be understood could just barely hear the murmurs of the audience

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murmur

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely no prisoner dared murmur out loud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mutter
to speak softly and unclearly a college professor who tends to murmur

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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 murmur
Noun
As Ghana pushed for an equalizing goal, the cheers of the Colombia faithful reverted to a nervous murmur. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 Despite murmurs of sessions for a new album, which began circulating in 2022, there’s no official news as of yet about a seventh Sade album. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 30 June 2026
Verb
Or at least squeezed in a solid couch nap with baseball/golf/soccer/primo history programming murmuring in the background. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 22 June 2026 Back through the hotel, past the large lobby bar where deal-making was already murmuring in every corner, and out into the garden where the jasmine caught me again. — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for murmur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murmur
  1. whine
  2. muttering
  3. complain
  4. mutter
  5. complaint
  6. whisper
  7. scream
  8. mumble
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
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
Definition of muttering
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
  • Bat met ball and, under his breath, Astros manager Joe Espada muttered an expletive.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of mutter
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
Noun
  • Test your knowledge of cruise controversies, wedding whispers and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Sleep in peace with this tower fan, which is whisper-quiet at 25 decibels.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of whisper
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
  • Next up, maybe lawmakers can do something about overly soft, mumbling dialogue preceded by deafening explosions.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • This succession was muddied thanks to the meddling of the King’s Hand, Otto Hightower, and the king’s own mumbled words on his deathbed to his wife, Alicent.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of mumble

Browse Nearby Words

murky
murmur
murmured
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on murmur

Nglish: Translation of murmur for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about murmur

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