grumbling

1 of 2

noun

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

2

: 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

grumbling

2 of 2

adjective

1

: expressing discontent especially by muttering

Meanwhile, grumbling fans wondered why the new coach hadn't hired any Ohioans for his staff.

—Erick Adelson

2

: making a low, heavy, rolling sound

There was no sound, still, but the rushing river and the grumbling, looming storm.

—Susan Cooper

grumblingly

ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē 

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

Examples of grumbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The numbers don’t lie, and could be more compelling to CEOs’ decision-making than employee grumblings around the office. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024

The big picture: The Saints came out the gate of their 2024 season looking shockingly strong as the team and its coaches hope to shut down any grumbling about head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr. —Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024

Yes, there was a fair amount of local pre-Olympic grumbling, but that is to be expected. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024

In fact, the grumbling was so loud that author George R.R. Martin, whose book Fire & Blood was partially adapted for the show, wrote his own blog past criticizing the many changes the series showrunner and writers had made to Season 2. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1