murmuring

Examples

• All

• The audience shouted out various exclamations of their esteem, and there was a general murmuring of what seemed to be encouragement.

  Fiction book (1996)

• There had been murmurings about Amazon's move for some time.

  Blog text (12)

• I tried to make sense of their murmurings, but we were too far away.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Who hasn't given their name?" There was some murmuring and a voice said, "Come on, Philip.

  Fiction book (1995)

• The crowd saw what she was about, and their shouts faded quickly to a nervous murmuring.

  Fiction book (1993)

• "Murmuring came from the crowd, and Chalmers saw a few people nodding their heads.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Unhappy murmurings suffused the group.

  Fiction book (2002)

• You'll be aware there have been murmurings for some time now about the perceived iniquity of this situation.

  Blog text (32)

• Her mouth opened, but no sound came out as she broke off her murmuring. In desperation, she began saying to herself the Hymn of Horror... no, that wasn't right.

  Fiction book (1997)

• The murmurings among the audience hinted at their dissatisfaction with the speaker's remarks.

Synonyms

G

groan

vsmurmuring

233 1.9

A low unhappy sound showing pain, discomfort or dislike

is more about quiet verbal dissatisfaction than an audible expression of pain

W

whimper

vsmurmuring

68 3.7

A low, soft cry showing pain or sadness

is less plaintive and more about quiet dissatisfaction than whining pain

M

murmur

vsmurmuring

36 4.1

A low, quiet sound made by people speaking softly or by small movements

is the ongoing action form rather than the simple verb form

G

grumbling

vsmurmuring

19 3.2

A quiet complaint that shows someone is unhappy

is the same idea but described specifically as an ongoing action

M

mutter

vsmurmuring

18 4.4

A low quiet complaint that people say so others cannot hear

is focused on the continuous complaining action rather than a single sound

G

grumble

vsmurmuring

3 3.4

A quiet complaint about something you dislike

is described as the continuous action or behavior rather than one instance

M

muttering

vsmurmuring

3 4.7

A quiet complaint spoken in a low voice

is similar but emphasizes the ongoing act rather than a single remark

C

complaint

vsmurmuring

• Archaic

1 9.9

A loud cry that shows pain or sorrow

is nearly the opposite in volume, being a low indistinct voiced action

G

grutch

vsmurmuring

• Informal

9.9

A small spoken complaint said quietly

is the ongoing form that stresses continuance rather than a brief remark

P

puling

vsmurmuring

• Archaic

9.9

A weak, thin cry that sounds like whining

is stronger in being a sustained low voiced action rather than feeble

S

silent miaow

vsmurmuring

• UK

9.9

A quiet, weak complaint that people often ignore

is similar but often clearer as a continuous voiced expression rather than tiny

G

groan of frustration

vsmurmuring

4.4

A deep sound people make when they are annoyed or disappointed

is quieter and less forceful, focusing on low indistinct complaining

M

moan of frustration

vsmurmuring

4.5

A low sound people make when they feel annoyed or disappointed

is quieter and more indistinct, centered on low continuous expression

H

humpf

vsmurmuring

• Informal

9.9

A short snort people make to show doubt or dislike

is longer and more continuous, marking ongoing low voiced dissatisfaction

How Forceful

outcry

52 4.6

complaint

564 1.4

murmuring

9 5.9

grumble

3 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology