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
Chris Stokel-Walker,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
The kinetic excitement of the tournament could well silence the grumbling.
—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
4 June 2026
Still, McGuire has a reputation for bringing big chunks of state dollars back into his district, even, during his time as Senate president, to the grumbling of some of his colleagues.
—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
The mayor has heard the grumblings.
—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumbling
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Noun
But the grumbling sidesteps a sharp question.
—
Chris Stokel-Walker,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
The kinetic excitement of the tournament could well silence the grumbling.
—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
4 June 2026
Still, McGuire has a reputation for bringing big chunks of state dollars back into his district, even, during his time as Senate president, to the grumbling of some of his colleagues.
—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
The mayor has heard the grumblings.
—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumbling
Cite this Entry
“Grumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grumbling. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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