grumbling 1 of 2

Definition of grumblingnext

grumbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grumble

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 grumbling
Verb
Bisciotti’s conversations with players came on the heels of a season when there was far more locker room grumbling about Harbaugh and other coaches than in previous years. Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026 Arizona mounted a steady 76-yard drive moments later, capped by Deguara's first TD catch since 2021 to spark grumbling in SoFi Stadium. CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026 That has caused some grumbling in the industry, given some missing data and inaccuracies that have been found. Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025 This conservative grumbling soon grew into the Tea Party movement, which upended the Republican establishment. W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumbling
Verb
  • Their relationship continued into the next year, 2018, when Lutnick emailed Epstein apparently complaining about an expansion plan for their neighboring Frick Collection art museum.
    Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The action comes as the legal gambling industry has been complaining that the state’s new per-wager tax on sports betting is driving gamblers to unlicensed websites.
    Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The song’s rumbling bass shook the room as the crowd went berserk and phones launched into the air, capturing the whole thing for the feeds where Esdeekid’s music, so far, has thrived.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The bass extension reaches down to a rumbling 5Hz, allowing low-frequency detail to be reproduced cleanly rather than boosted artificially.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The death toll includes at least 19 children, 21 non-protesting civilians, and 165 in government or security forces.
    The Hill, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Among the dead were 13 children and 14 non-protesting civilians, HRANA said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In the fourth quarter, Hornets coach Charles Lee was tossed from the game and needed to be held back after screaming at officials following a no-call when his player, Grant Williams, collided with Pistons’ Paul Reed.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Police were notified that the man, later identified as Justin Rich, was screaming and damaging cars.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Upon entering the foyer, I was greeted by a growling animatronic Chewbacca, playfully adorned with a Christmas hat for the holiday season.
    Robert Lang, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
  • As Dumars and Byrne, Damon and Affleck are reduced to growling law-enforcement speak, barking into walkie-talkies and carrying out every conversation while at least one hand rests on an automatic weapon—just in case someone bursts through the wall.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But students who are spending their time protesting, whining about the grading system and seeking easy classes don’t seem to fit that mold.
    Mitch Zimmer, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Some had noisy bearings, which could sound like a whining noise.
    John Paul, The Providence Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • While Slot was moaning about having to play two away matches in four days (and about missing a couple of key players), Emery, also without important figures such as Boubacar Kamara, was overseeing his Villa side playing the same tough schedule and win both games without conceding a goal.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
  • While lying on the pavement, he could be heard moaning as an officer shouted at him not to move.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 13 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumbling. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grumbling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!