muttering

4 definitions • 8 examples

the sound of one or more people talking quietly, or the things that they say, often when they are worried or complaining about something:

She barely listened to his muttering.

A stunned silence greeted this announcement, but was soon replaced by puzzled mutterings.

the act of complaining about something but only to a few people:

The mutterings of discontent started among the senior players.

The company has responded to muttering about lack of direction with a plan to invest in Europe and China.

The leader may struggle to be heard against the increasingly angry mutterings of the middle classes.

talking quietly, especially when worried or complaining about something:

At the first sign of danger we turn into muttering cowards.

A muttering crew of new recruits waited to enter the training room.

complaining:

Dad, who was once a sunny optimist, has turned into a muttering cynic.