grum·bling
ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
plural grumblings
1
: a mutter of discontent : complaint
Operators of bars and restaurants, who hear the first-hand grumblings of customers on the boardwalk, tend to oppose the ordinance.—
Kevin Robinson
Kevin Robinson2
: a growling or reverberating noise : rumbling
On a shorter timescale, researchers and governments are working together to detect the first grumblings of an earthquake and alert communities that might be affected.—Eva Botkin-Kowacki
Eva Botkin-Kowacki1
: expressing discontent especially by muttering
Meanwhile, grumbling fans wondered why the new coach hadn't hired any Ohioans for his staff.—Erick Adelson
Erick Adelson2
: making a low, heavy, rolling sound
There was no sound, still, but the rushing river and the grumbling, looming storm.—Susan Cooper
Susan Cooper
grumblingly
adverb
Some marine park wardens were doing a quick flyover, perhaps to check that we weren't poachers, and Al grumblingly went below to answer the crackling radio.
—Tony Perrottet
Tony Perrottet
Examples of grumbling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
That’s led to some quiet grumbling among purists and Oakmont members alike: has the course softened?
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Yoda made a slight sound of dissatisfaction, a grumbling chortle.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025
Contrary to the post-election grumblings from Biden allies in the Atlantic, the president has been virtually silent on his own administration’s proposal for the last 18 months.
—Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for grumbling
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Noun
Maron, the William Demarest of the piece (Preston Sturges fans), gets a lot of subtlety into his grumblings; as the most open of the characters, Treviño does great expressive things with her hands and eyes.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
That’s led to some quiet grumbling among purists and Oakmont members alike: has the course softened?
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Yoda made a slight sound of dissatisfaction, a grumbling chortle.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 May 2025
Contrary to the post-election grumblings from Biden allies in the Atlantic, the president has been virtually silent on his own administration’s proposal for the last 18 months.
—Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for grumbling
Cite this Entry
“Grumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grumbling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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