as in muttering
speech that is not clear enough to be understood
his surprising announcement brought murmurings from the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in humming
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
no prisoner dared murmur out loud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mumbling
to speak softly and unclearly
a college professor who tends to murmur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murmuring
Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Rarely have Hunt’s compositions felt so jittery and full of life as the title track, which blooms from murmuring drones into shimmering bokehs of synth programming.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Two students have unrolled what looks like an incomplete treasure map, and lean over it with magnifying glasses, murmuring to one another.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Customers in the Dunkin’ have a similar response, murmuring and looking over their shoulders for the Accountant 2 actor.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
The eighth inning also featured a decision that had the Ballers dugout murmuring.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Shockwaves on prices and murmuring of massive layoffs abound at cocktail parties and in discussions with retail and brand executives alike.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
His father trailed him on the ice, murmuring.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Rarely have Hunt’s compositions felt so jittery and full of life as the title track, which blooms from murmuring drones into shimmering bokehs of synth programming.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Two students have unrolled what looks like an incomplete treasure map, and lean over it with magnifying glasses, murmuring to one another.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Customers in the Dunkin’ have a similar response, murmuring and looking over their shoulders for the Accountant 2 actor.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
The eighth inning also featured a decision that had the Ballers dugout murmuring.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murmuring
Noun
-
The opportunity to send a raucous Bell Centre crowd home muttering was there in Game 3.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Colts’ offense is absolutely humming.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elsewhere, Super Mario Galaxy is hardly complaining about coming in second ruling the roost for weeks, since it’s now focused on becoming the first film of the year to join the billion-dollar club after finishing Sunday with a global total of $871 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The dog-waste donnybrook was similar to another recent clash in Brooklyn that saw a 75-year-old grandmother jumped and beaten for complaining that a dog walker was not cleaning up the pooch’s poop.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To this day, the cooing and mutter of pigeons can lull me into a space of deep enjoyment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The feeding ports keep out buzzing bees, while the ant moat hanger will keep away pesky ants, so the nectar is saved just for the hummingbirds.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Located near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square, these elegant accommodations are in the neighborhood's buzzing fashion district.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Richter’s grand slam Tuesday against Tinley Park ended with plenty of screaming and high-fives at home plate.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Any passengers not knocked out during the chaos or sucked out into the sky are generally screaming and grabbing for oxygen masks while Captain Rich makes a futile announcement about the importance of not panicking.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez Castro frequently appears in photos whispering in his ear and, lately, choreographing every movement of his frail-looking grandfather during his scarce public appearances.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
-
July 23 – August 22 The horizon is whispering your next lesson.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Murmuring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murmuring. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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