1
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
finished the tedious job without a murmur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in muttering
speech that is not clear enough to be understood
could just barely hear the murmurs of the audience
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
no prisoner dared murmur out loud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to mutter
to speak softly and unclearly
a college professor who tends to murmur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of murmur
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025
But reports of an impending deal have become such a constant background murmur that few observers count on a diplomatic breakthrough to head off the new operation.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Joe Hernandez, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
Just murmuring in response to his questions, Don’t know, and, later, in the hotel room, shrinking from his angry face, pleading, Sorry, so sorry.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for murmur
Noun
An uncomfortable murmur wafted through the mostly-UConn crowed at Mohegan Sun Arena.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025
But reports of an impending deal have become such a constant background murmur that few observers count on a diplomatic breakthrough to head off the new operation.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Verb
On Saturday evening, teenagers from a Catholic religious group known as the Salesians stood in a circle, murmuring quiet prayers for the pope's health.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
Just murmuring in response to his questions, Don’t know, and, later, in the hotel room, shrinking from his angry face, pleading, Sorry, so sorry.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for murmur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murmur
Noun
-
On my final evening after the game drive, a flute whines and drums thump in the distance.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
-
Roxy doesn't take her eyes from the screen, and when Aishah turns the camera to show what's happening in the movie, Roxy can be heard making a noise somewhere between a growl and a whine.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His team-mates celebrated; the Boca players complained furiously, surrounding the referee and pointing at Marchesin.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Many have complained that American alternatives for some foreign imports may be unavailable or are too expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Vic lowers his head to peer through the slot of visibility provided by the muttering dashboard defroster.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
-
This is what many people are muttering to themselves after a weekend of protests that ended with chaos in downtown Sunday night.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Officers responded to a burglary complaint about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, when employees at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department told cops someone was stuck in the chimney of a building in Rockwell Park, Bristol Police Lt. Desmond Wilson said.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
-
The Biden administration warned that would lead to a huge backlog of complaints and strain the government’s resources, should thousands of borrowers now have to present their cases in court, and would harm borrowers by forcing them to default on their loans in order to possibly get relief.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Every new headline—whether a cease-fire whisper or another drone strike—moves Brent and insurance quotes long before drilling rigs or pipelines can respond.—
Guney Yildiz,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Jane spoke barely above a whisper to an attentive jury throughout her afternoon testimony.—
Larry Neumeister,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
The Pacers' star went down and immediately screamed in pain.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
In his later years, McDermott suffered memory and speech loss, often mumbling incoherently and failing to recognize friends and family.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Hawkins, however, knows how to use her twee energy to her advantage, largely tittering and mumbling away.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Suffice to say, the 2025 Cannes market will be filled with even more groans on moans than years past.—
Elsa Ramo,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
There's a push, and suddenly, a newborn's first cry replaces the mother's moans.—
Laura Gómez,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Murmur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murmur. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share