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grumbling

grumbling

19 3.2
A quiet complaint that shows someone is unhappy
  • noun
  • /ˈɡrʌmblɪŋ/
translation icon : refunfuño
  • Susan started to hear grumbling from her nursing colleagues.
  • much grumbling

Instead of grumbling, he studied his mistakes with the goal of profiting from them.

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Examples

  • There is a great deal of grumbling about the consequences, especially the impact on parking.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Mike, there was grumbling from the alumni about what you did last year.

  • "You get some grumbling about the cost, but they understand the reasons why," explains Freiburger.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The old man's words silenced the grumbling around him.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • In many places, recycling programs began with much grumbling, under the pressure of increased costs for oversized garbage loads.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Pundits and policymakers would do well to start listening to the grumbling.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Eventually, the studio's financial backers heard grumblings that Hirose was having trouble working in the suits.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • There was a lot of grumbling about the new policies at the meeting last night.

  • Many parents expressed their grumbling regarding the lack of communication from the school.

  • His constant grumbling about the weather made the hike less enjoyable for everyone.

Synonyms

groan
vsgrumbling
233 1.9

A low unhappy sound showing pain, discomfort or dislike

is mainly verbal complaining rather than a nonverbal sound
whimper
vsgrumbling
68 3.7

A low, soft cry showing pain or sadness

is a spoken muttered complaint rather than a plaintive vocal sound
murmur
vsgrumbling
36 4.1

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

is more about a short muttered complaint rather than continuous sound
whine
vsgrumbling
  • Informal
28 3.0

A high, annoying complaint

is lower in pitch and less high or plaintive in tone
mutter
vsgrumbling
18 4.4

A low quiet complaint that people say so others cannot hear

is more about the complaint tone than merely speaking quietly
murmuring
vsgrumbling
9 5.9

A quiet complaint said softly by people who disagree

is similar but stresses the muttered, personal complaint quality
grumble
vsgrumbling
3 3.4

A quiet complaint about something you dislike

is the same but emphasises muttered, indistinct tone even more
muttering
vsgrumbling
3 4.7

A quiet complaint spoken in a low voice

is focused on complaint specifically rather than neutral quiet remarks
crabbing
vsgrumbling
  • Informal
6.6

Saying the same small complaints again and again

is less about pettiness and more about low, muttered expression
grutch
vsgrumbling
  • Informal
9.9

A small spoken complaint said quietly

is similar but usually spoken more quietly and indistinctly
groan of frustration
vsgrumbling
4.4

A deep sound people make when they are annoyed or disappointed

is quieter and more indistinct rather than deep and audible
moan of frustration
vsgrumbling
4.5

A low sound people make when they feel annoyed or disappointed

is spoken as a complaint rather than a general vocal sound
puling
vsgrumbling
  • Archaic
9.9

A weak, thin cry that sounds like whining

is stronger in protest and less weak or feeble in tone

Antonyms

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

26 2.1

A feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life

How Loud

outcry
52 4.6
protest
578 2.5
complaint
564 1.4
grumbling
19 3.2
mutter
18 4.4

Surface Forms

grumbling singular
grumblings plural

Morphology

grumbling = grumble (transparent) = grumble + ing

This is a regular deverbal noun built from 'grumble' + '-ing', and the sense of an act or instance of grumbling is directly recoverable from the verb.

Etymology

Grumbling comes from an old sound word that copies a low 'grr' noise, much like the words rumble and mumble. So a grumbling is a quiet, 'muttered' complaint — a low sound of unhappiness.