mutter

Examples

• All

• There were low mutters of disgust and whimpers of disbelief.

  Fiction book (1998)

• A general mutter of agreement rose from the soldiers who heard him.

  Fiction book (1992)

• As he turned away, he heard mutters from the table.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "I still cannot believe he would be so... so..." Egwene began in an angry mutter.

  Fiction book (1992)

• There were angry mutters, but the crowd eventually dispersed.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Halfway down the drive, she heard sobbing and beneath it another sound that resolved into slurred mutters.

  Fiction book (2000)

• All around, the crowd's noise dwindled to angry mutters and a few pockets of elated whooping.

  Fiction book (1997)

• The audience's response dwindled to a low mutter as they discussed the disappointing performance.

• I could hear the mutter of students in the hallway while I was trying to concentrate on my exam.

• His constant mutters during the lecture made it hard for others to pay attention.

Synonyms

G

groan

vsmutter

233 1.9

A low unhappy sound showing pain, discomfort or dislike

is less intense, usually a quieter complaint without strong pain or mournfulness

W

whisper

vsmutter

85 2.0

A soft rustling sound like leaves or silk moving

is specifically a low complaint sound rather than any faint noise

W

whimper

vsmutter

68 3.7

A low, soft cry showing pain or sadness

is less emotional, usually a brief quiet remark rather than a plaintive sound

M

murmur

vsmutter

36 4.1

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

focuses more on a small complaint spoken quietly rather than any low sound

W

whispering

vsmutter

35 1.9

Speaking very softly using only breath so the words are hard to hear

relies more on indistinct voiced sounds or complaints rather than breath only

G

grumbling

vsmutter

19 3.2

A quiet complaint that shows someone is unhappy

is more neutral, covering any low background sound not only complaints

M

murmuring

vsmutter

9 5.9

A quiet complaint said softly by people who disagree

is broader, covering both simple sounds and quiet complaints

M

mumbling

vsmutter

6 3.6

Speaking quietly and not clearly so people cannot understand

is about quiet complaining sounds rather than unclear but intelligible words

H

humph

vsmutter

• Informal

4 9.1

A short low sound showing disapproval or doubt

is more like a small ongoing background complaint rather than a brief sound

G

grumble

vsmutter

3 3.4

A quiet complaint about something you dislike

is similar but often refers to a softer background sound rather than expression

M

muttering

vsmutter

3 4.7

A quiet complaint spoken in a low voice

is similar but used more generally for background low sounds

S

susurration

vsmutter

1 9.9

A soft whispering sound like wind in leaves

is more about a low complaint or indistinct speech than atmospheric whispering

M

murmuration

vsmutter

9.6

A soft low sound of many people talking at once

is narrower, highlighting short background complaints rather than continuous sound

M

mussitation

vsmutter

• Archaic

9.9

A low soft sound made by quiet talking without clear words

is about audible quiet complaints spoken clearly enough to hint content

M

moan of frustration

vsmutter

4.5

A low sound people make when they feel annoyed or disappointed

is gentler, often just a soft background complaint rather than clear annoyance

S

silent miaow

vsmutter

• UK

9.9

A quiet, weak complaint that people often ignore

is a clearer low complaint often heard as background rather than unnoticed

How Clear

statement

• Formal

∞ 1.3

remark

371 1.4

to whisper

586 1.0

mutter

18 4.4

murmur

36 4.1

Surface Forms

Etymology