grumbles 1 of 2

noun

plural of grumble
as in whines
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grumbles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grumble
1
as in complains
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rumbles
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 grumbles
Noun
Later, another character in Dickensian period garb began asking him about fair wages, which drew only grumbles from Scrooge. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 July 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 Beyond the pedestrianized streets and bike lanes, the familiar cacophony of drivers honking their frustration is, if anything, louder than ever — as are the grumbles from those who rely on buses now snarled in endless jams. — Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 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
Verb
All crowdfunding projects have an element of risk, but backers of the startup's first Kickstarter for an all-in-one smart telescope seem satisfied with their all-in-one smart telescope - shipping grumbles aside. — New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026 Your 12th House of Inner Worlds hums as the Moon grumbles at combative Mars in your philosophical 9th house, making private worries flare when big debates start circling. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026 In bleak midwinter, the wind swirls, the cold bites and grumbles over transport reach a crescendo. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026 Notice who stands to applaud your wins and who grumbles. — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026 And perhaps some—Ho Jin just barks at him to take it all and grumbles that Ji Seon is a bad influence. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 And Paleo Dad grumbles but goes and picks up his spear. — Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbles
  1. complaints
  2. complains
  3. rumbles
  4. moans
  5. screams
  6. growls
  7. grievances
  8. whines
Noun
  • Two people were arrested, but charges were dropped pending the outcome of the internal review after complaints about the use of force.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The police investigation was launched following complaints from relatives of the victims of the Gwangju crackdown, which official records say left about 200 people dead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of complaints
Verb
  • The private sector complains that there are jobs but that Indians aren’t skilled enough to be hired.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Prescribing Tylenol to a patient who continually complains of back pain will not necessarily solve what ails them.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of complains
Verb
  • The engine rumbles between your legs, the road streams beneath you, the curves beckon you onward.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • As thunder rumbles over Mpophomeni, and the first drops of rain fall, children at the training field pull on hoodies and start to walk home, their dogs trotting faithfully alongside them.
    — Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
Definition of rumbles
Noun
  • In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.
    — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
  • Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of moans
Verb
  • Witness accounts describe chaotic scene In the video, as many as five officers can be seen, and shrieks, screams, and cries are heard.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Graham and some of this congregation brought ice cream to their staffs — teenagers mostly, some of whom likely worked the weekend shift and heard the shots and screams next door.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of screams
Verb
  • Griffith growls Griffith could be in position to win its first Greater South Shore Conference title since 2018.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of growls
Noun
  • To right-wing activists, Fever games and Fever discourse have become an opportunity to air grievances about gender and race.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Veteran pitcher Eric Lauer, squeezed out of the Toronto Blue Jays' deep rotation after public grievances about his role and arbitration, has found an unlikely second act with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of grievances
Verb
  • The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Jessie whines about the good old days all the time — how fun is that?
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Definition of whines

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Cite this Entry

“Grumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbles. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grumbles for Spanish Speakers

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