grumbling

1 of 3

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 3

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

grumbling

3 of 3

present participle of grumble

Examples of grumbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, low unemployment and government largesse in poor regions help keep a lid on consumer grumbling. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Since 1962, when the seashore was established, there have been grumblings. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

An 8-5 record in year one did little to quell those grumblings, and the recruiting was stagnating behind other SEC rivals like Alabama and LSU. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

All the grumbling about its powertrain and unorthodox styling didn’t stop it from selling out. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grumbling

• bumbling
• crumbling
• fumbling
• humbling
• mumbling
• rumbling
• stumbling
• tumbling