grumble
verb
grum·ble ˈgrəm-bəl 
grumbled; grumbling ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ
intransitive verb
1
: to mutter in discontent
grumbled about the scarcity of jobs
2
: growl, rumble
Thunder grumbled in the distance.
transitive verb
: to express with grumbling
grumbled his annoyance
grumble noun
grumbler
ˈgrəm-b(ə-)lər
noun grumbly
ˈgrəm-b(ə-)lē
adjective 
Synonyms
- beef
- bellyache
- bitch
- bleat
- carp
- caterwaul
- complain
- crab
- croak
- fuss
- gripe
- grizzle
- grouch
- grouse
- growl
- grump
- holler
- inveigh
- keen
- kick
- kvetch
- maunder [chiefly British]
- moan
- murmur
- mutter
- nag
- repine
- scream
- squawk
- squeal
- wail
- whimper
- whine
- whinge [British]
- yammer
- yawp
- yaup
- yowl
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
There's been a lot of grumbling among the employees. Some of the customers have been grumbling about poor service. Fans grumbled about the team's poor play. “When are we going to leave?” he grumbled. We could hear thunder grumbling in the distance.
Recent Examples on the Web Instagram offers a stream of photos of blossoms this time of year, even as those who live near them grumble and scrub. 
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 The president gets to appoint people to the Fed, but then gets to quietly grumble about them like the rest of us. David Goldman, CNN, 31 May 2022 Employers say the perks are critical to keeping their businesses open as employees grumble about rising gas prices and office return plans. Kathryn Dill, WSJ, 24 June 2022 The practice is formally called Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, and residents often grumble about being left without electricity. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2022 Still, in a sport that clings so desperately to tradition, purists will grumble. Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Longtime lovers of South Africa’s most stylish hideaway, Babylonstoren, grumble that its luster has somewhat tarnished. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2022 Building permits have surged, and the cadre of mostly local builders who had the market more or less to themselves now grumble that the rapid growth has attracted big national builders like D.R. Horton and Toll Brothers. New York Times, 20 Feb. 2022 Yes, the broadcast networks will inevitably grumble at the prospect of losing 30 minutes of prime-time revenue for a presidential address. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Mar. 2022 See More
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 The president gets to appoint people to the Fed, but then gets to quietly grumble about them like the rest of us. David Goldman, CNN, 31 May 2022 Employers say the perks are critical to keeping their businesses open as employees grumble about rising gas prices and office return plans. Kathryn Dill, WSJ, 24 June 2022 The practice is formally called Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, and residents often grumble about being left without electricity. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2022 Still, in a sport that clings so desperately to tradition, purists will grumble. Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Longtime lovers of South Africa’s most stylish hideaway, Babylonstoren, grumble that its luster has somewhat tarnished. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2022 Building permits have surged, and the cadre of mostly local builders who had the market more or less to themselves now grumble that the rapid growth has attracted big national builders like D.R. Horton and Toll Brothers. New York Times, 20 Feb. 2022 Yes, the broadcast networks will inevitably grumble at the prospect of losing 30 minutes of prime-time revenue for a presidential address. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
probably from Middle French grommeler, ultimately from Middle Dutch grommen; akin to Old High German grimm grim
First Known Use
1580, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Kids Definition
grumble 1 of 2
verb
grum·ble ˈgrəm-bəl
grumbled; grumbling
1
: to complain in a low voice
2
: rumble entry 1
grumble
2 of 2noun
1
: the act of complaining in a low voice
2
: rumble entry 2
grumbled
verb
1
as in complained
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- complained
- screamed
- whined
- muttered
- moaned
- growled
- murmured
- groused
- whimpered
- grumped
- grouched
- worried
- squawked
- bitched
- squealed
- griped
- cried
- wailed
- hollered
- kicked
- yammered
- inveighed
- bellyached
- nagged
- whinged
- yowled
- protested
- keened
- kvetched
- grizzled
- caterwauled
- bleated
- carped
- beefed
- croaked
- fussed
- crabbed
- repined
- sobbed
- kicked up a stink
- yawped
- yauped
- maundered
- kicked up a fuss
- quibbled
- lamented
- fretted
- blubbered
- stewed
- bemoaned
- caviled
- bewailed
- deplored
- cavilled
- quarrelled (with)
- quarreled (with)
- objected (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rejoiced
- delighted
- took
- accepted
- endured
- tolerated
- applauded
- cheered
- crowed
- bore
- commended
- countenanced
2
as in growled
to make a low heavy rolling sound heavily loaded trucks grumbling as they passed over the steel bridge Synonyms & Similar Words
- growled
- rumbled
- bellowed
- rolled
- thundered
- boomed
- lumbered
- drummed