Murmur vs Grumble - What's the difference?

In intransitive terms the difference between murmur and grumble

is that murmur is to speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter while grumble is to complain; to murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.

In transitive terms the difference between murmur and grumble

is that murmur is to say (something) indistinctly, to mutter while grumble is to utter in a grumbling fashion.

As nouns the difference between murmur and grumble

is that murmur is low or indistinct sounds or speech while grumble is a low thundering, rumbling or growling sound.

As verbs the difference between murmur and grumble

is that murmur is to grumble; to complain in a low, muttering voice, or express discontent {{term|at}} or {{term|against}} someone or something while grumble is to make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.

murmur

English

Noun

(en noun)

(countable) Low or indistinct sounds or speech.

* 1874 , (Marcus Clarke), (For the Term of His Natural Life) , chapter V:

In the prison of the 'tween decks reigned a darkness pregnant with murmurs . The sentry at the entrance to the hatchway was supposed to "prevent the prisoners from making a noise," but he put a very liberal interpretation upon the clause, and so long as the prisoners refrained from shouting, yelling, and fighting--eccentricities in which they sometimes indulged--he did not disturb them.

A murmur arose from the audience.

* 1960 , , (Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter XI:

The moment had come for the honeyed word. I lowered my voice to a confidential murmur , but on her inquiring if I had laryngitis raised it again.

(medicine) The sound made by any condition which produces noisy, or turbulent, flow of blood through the heart.

A muttered complaint or protest; the expression of dissatisfaction in a low muttering voice; any expression of complaint or discontent

* 1919 , :

In fear of disease and in the interest of his health man will be muzzled and masked like a vicious dog, and that without any murmur of complaint.

* 1960 , , (Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter XX:

Glossop will return from his afternoon off to find the awful majesty of the Law waiting for him, complete with handcuffs. We can hardly expect him to accept an exemplary sentence without a murmur , so his first move will be to establish his innocence by revealing all.

Verb

(en verb)

* 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , (w) VI:

The iewes murmured att itt, because he sayde: I am thatt breed which is come doune from heven.

(label) To speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter.

*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)

, chapter=7, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=“Oh yes,” he murmured in a tone of obligatory surprise, as he proceeded to make the kind of 2 which he attributed to Margaret's style of chirography.}}

(label) To say (something) indistinctly, to mutter.

* (William Shakespeare), 1 , II. 3.51

Iheard thee murmur tales of iron wars.

Derived terms

* murmuration * murmurer * murmuring * murmurless * murmurous

Synonyms

* See aslo

External links

* (heart murmur)

References

* * English onomatopoeias English reduplications ----

grumble

English

Noun

(en noun)

(onomatopoeia) A low thundering, rumbling or growling sound.

The sound made by a hungry stomach.

A complaint.

That whiner is never without a grumble to share.

Derived terms

* grumbly

Verb

(grumbl)

To make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.

The distant thunder grumbles .

* {{quote-book

, year=1995 , author=Terry C. Johnston , title=Dance on the Wind , page=15 , passage=It made his stomach grumble in protest to think the mule was eating, and here he was worrying about her with an empty belly of his own.}}

To complain; to murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.

He grumbles about the food constantly, but has yet to learn to cook.

To utter in a grumbling fashion.

* 2001 , Harry Willcox Pfanz, Gettysburg — the first day?

He grumbled that there was no grain "in the country" and that people were talking instead of working to provide it.

Synonyms

* See also

Derived terms

* grumbler