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View synonyms for grumble

grumble

[ gruhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, grum·bled, grum·bling.
  1. to murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly:

    Tim always found something to grumble about.

  2. to utter low, indistinct sounds; growl:

    Suddenly I heard my stomach grumble, and realized I hadn't had any lunch.

  3. to rumble:

    The thunder grumbled in the west.



verb (used with object)

, grum·bled, grum·bling.
  1. to express or utter with murmuring or complaining.

noun

  1. an expression of discontent; complaint; unhappy murmur; growl.
  2. grumbles, a grumbling, discontented mood.
  3. a rumble.

grumble

/ ˈɡrʌmbəl /

verb

  1. to utter (complaints) in a nagging or discontented way
  2. intr to make low dull rumbling sounds


noun

  1. a complaint; grouse
  2. a low rumbling sound

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Derived Forms

  • ˈgrumbly, adjective
  • ˈgrumbler, noun
  • ˈgrumblingly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • grumbler noun
  • grumbling·ly adverb
  • grumbly adjective
  • un·grumbling adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of grumble1

First recorded in 1580–90; perhaps frequentative of Old English grymman “to wail”; compare Dutch grommelen, German grummeln, French grommeler (from Germanic )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of grumble1

C16: from Middle Low German grommelen, of Germanic origin; see grim

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

McConnell isn’t one to gamble with a headcount, so the fact he announced the deal presumes he has the votes in the Senate despite the grumbles over an encroaching House.

From Time

But Google grumble grumble makes me compose new messages in a tiny window, you say.

But grumble grumble sometimes my messages get sorted into the wrong folders.

But grumble grumble Google just forced this upon me without asking, you say.

So for now, the movies are about more, even if many of us will grumble about Les Miz's running time on the way out of the theater.

Yes, Republicans grumble (rightly) against the Obama green-energy subsidies.

He had transferred himself to the buggy with a grumble of disgust, and begged her to come for him early in the morning.

In any case my conscience will be clear, and I shall no longer have any right to grumble at my lot.

"No wonder things git pindlin' under this old locust-tree," Sophy heard him grumble.

Gradually the relaxing steam-radiators began to grunt and grumble into a chill quietude.

By the marauders it was looked upon as a grand frolic, and owners of missing mats and deluged yards might grumble as they pleased.

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grumgrumbling appendix