grum·bling
ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
plural grumblings
1
: a mutter of discontent : complaint
Operators of bars and restaurants, who hear the first-hand grumblings of customers on the boardwalk, tend to oppose the ordinance.—
Kevin Robinson
Kevin Robinson2
: a growling or reverberating noise : rumbling
On a shorter timescale, researchers and governments are working together to detect the first grumblings of an earthquake and alert communities that might be affected.—Eva Botkin-Kowacki
Eva Botkin-Kowacki1
: expressing discontent especially by muttering
Meanwhile, grumbling fans wondered why the new coach hadn't hired any Ohioans for his staff.—Erick Adelson
Erick Adelson2
: making a low, heavy, rolling sound
There was no sound, still, but the rushing river and the grumbling, looming storm.—Susan Cooper
Susan Cooper
grumblingly
adverb
Some marine park wardens were doing a quick flyover, perhaps to check that we weren't poachers, and Al grumblingly went below to answer the crackling radio.
—Tony Perrottet
Tony Perrottet
Examples of grumbling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebWashington Post, 16 June 2024
In fact, De Niro had to push Last Tycoon much to the filmmaker’s grumbling.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 June 2024
At home in Russia, Putin has proved willing to allow some hawkish dissent and debate about the war, including the grumbling of pro-war commentators and bloggers who used to serve in the military.
—Fiona Hill, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2023
But despite some grumblings and glimmers of xenophobia, Mr. Carbajal feels the reception has been overwhelmingly positive: Locals regularly drop off food and clothing, or pass through to give free services, such as haircuts.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for grumbling 
Noun
There was no grumbling from President Biden about the verdict; no carping about the legal system, jury or judge; no hesitation about campaign optics in an election year.
—Washington Post, 16 June 2024
In fact, De Niro had to push Last Tycoon much to the filmmaker’s grumbling.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 June 2024
At home in Russia, Putin has proved willing to allow some hawkish dissent and debate about the war, including the grumbling of pro-war commentators and bloggers who used to serve in the military.
—Fiona Hill, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2023
But despite some grumblings and glimmers of xenophobia, Mr. Carbajal feels the reception has been overwhelmingly positive: Locals regularly drop off food and clothing, or pass through to give free services, such as haircuts.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for grumbling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grumbling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near grumbling
Cite this Entry
“Grumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grumbling. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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