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to grouch

to grouch

1 6.4
To complain in a bad-tempered way
  • verb
  • /ɡraʊtʃ/
translation icon : refunfuñar
  • "I picture myself back in high school and wonder how much easier it would have been to get up every morning, without grouching and groaning, if I'd had those words to live by!

Examples

  • Our motto: "I grouch, therefore I am."

  • Will you put this on my back, you grouch?

  • Because we were grouching away from his phone because this is what happened to me.

  • As for father and mother, it was like being at college again where everyone grouched about their parents.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I can grouch.

  • Charlie grouched at him until Rosie reminded him that it was Axel who was responsible for Rotomotoman.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Whenever he doesn't get his way, he always grouches about it until someone gives in.

  • She tends to grouch when her favorite show is interrupted by commercials.

  • After the meeting, he couldn't help but grouch about the new rules they imposed.

Synonyms

to whine
vsto grouch
  • Informal
211 2.8

To complain in a high, annoying voice

is sulkier and more critically negative rather than vocal pitch
to grumble
vsto grouch
41 3.7

To complain quietly in a low voice

is more openly sullen and sharply judgmental in expression
to snivel
vsto grouch
11 7.4

To complain in a whining, tearful way

is sullen and critical without the tearful self-pity
to grouse
vsto grouch
  • UK
8 7.4

To complain about small unimportant things

is more generally sullen and critical, not limited to trivial things
to bitch and moan
vsto grouch
  • NSFW
8 9.6

To complain a lot in an annoying way

is sullen and sharply critical rather than just persistently annoying
to grumble about
vsto grouch
6 4.1

To complain quietly about something you do not like

is more openly sulky and critical rather than merely muttering
to grump
vsto grouch
1 4.9

To complain when you are in a bad mood

is similar but focuses more on sullen criticism than mood
to bellyache
vsto grouch
  • Informal
1 6.8

To complain a lot in an annoying way

is sulky and critical but not necessarily excessive in volume
to cry the blues
vsto grouch
  • Informal
1 7.5

To feel sad and complain to others

is more sullenly critical rather than openly sad or distressed
to cry a river
vsto grouch
  • Informal
1 8.7

Complain a lot in a dramatic way about something that upsets you

is more quietly sullen and critically negative instead of exaggerating
to gruntled
vsto grouch
  • Archaic
9.9

To complain quietly because you are unhappy

is more sullen and sharply critical in tone
to grizzle
vsto grouch
  • UK
8.2

To complain in a sulky, childish way about small things

is sulky and critical without the childish tone

Antonyms

1.4

To join fun events to mark a special day or achievement

93 3.6

Feel or show that you are very happy

How Complaining

rant
  • Informal
102 5.1
to grouch
1 6.4
to complain
1.0
to grumble
41 3.7
to mutter
140 3.7

Surface Forms

grouch infinitive
grouched past
grouched past participle
grouching present participle
grouches third person singular

Etymology

The word grouch as a verb likely comes from the same old sense 'to grumble'. Think of someone who grumbles or growls about small things, so to grouch is to complain or show unhappiness in a sour way.