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

Despite his grumbling, DuPont loves the chaos of his underfunded ER. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2024

Some will be tempted to disregard the latest Russian nuclear threats as nothing more than obnoxious Russian grumblings. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

That decision led to much grumbling, including a bi-partisan congressional request this spring for an explanation as to why an American team was being excluded from the sport. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024

The team look well set for a second season under popular head coach Ange Postecoglou but Johnson has become a target for the grumbling of a minority. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 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