grum ‧ ble /ˈɡrʌmb ə l/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: Probably from Old French grommeler , from Middle Dutch grommen ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to keep complaining in an unhappy way SYN moan
grumble about/at
Farmers are always grumbling about the weather.
grumble that
A few passengers grumbled that their cabins were too small.
‘This is boring,’ Kathleen grumbled.
2 . [intransitive] to make a low continuous sound SYN rumble :
Thunder grumbled overhead.
3 . mustn’t/can’t grumble British English spoken used to say that you are fairly healthy and happy:
‘How are you today?’ ‘Mustn’t grumble.’
—grumble noun [countable] :
the usual grumbles about pay
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THESAURUS
▪ complain to say that you are annoyed, unhappy, or not satisfied about something or someone:
Several customers complained about the service they received.
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‘I wish you’d stop telling me what to do,’ she complained.
▪ make a complaint to formally complain about something to someone in authority:
His parents made a complaint to the head teacher.
▪ protest to complain about something that you think is wrong, especially publicly:
Demonstrators were protesting against the war.
▪ object to say that you oppose or disapprove of something:
Local residents have objected to the plan.
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Some teachers objected to the scheme.
▪ grumble to keep complaining in a bad-tempered way about something:
Rail travellers have been grumbling about the increase in ticket prices.
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What’s he grumbling about now?
▪ moan/whine informal ( also whinge /wɪndʒ/ British English informal ) to keep complaining in an annoying way:
Everyone was moaning about the hotel food.
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Stop whingeing and get on with your work!
▪ kick up/make a fuss to complain or become angry about something, especially something that is not very important:
The soup wasn’t hot enough, but he didn’t want to make a fuss.
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He kicked up such a fuss that they were offered another room.