Murmur — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈmər-mər/ mur·mur

Meaning & Definition of Murmur

Murmur (noun)

  1. a half-suppressed or muttered complaint, grumbling
  2. a low indistinct but often continuous sound
  3. a soft or gentle utterance

Murmur (verb)

  1. to make a murmur
  2. complain, grumble
  3. to say in a murmur

Murmur (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment

    "finished the tedious job without a murmur"

    similar: beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer
    related: challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle (chiefly British), objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink
    near: commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction

  2. speech that is not clear enough to be understood

    "could just barely hear the murmurs of the audience"

    similar: grunt, grunting, mumble, murmuring, mutter, muttering
    related: rumor, undertone, whisper, babble, babbling, blab, blabbing, chatter, chattering, drivel, driveling, gabble, gabbling, jabber, jabbering, maundering, prattle, prattling, rambling

Murmur (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

    "no prisoner dared murmur out loud"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder (chiefly British), moan, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

  2. to speak softly and unclearly

    "a college professor who tends to murmur"

    similar: chunter (British), grunt, mouth, mumble, mutter
    related: babble, blab, chatter, drivel, gabble, gibber, jabber, maunder, prattle, ramble, breathe, gasp, pant, whisper, buzz
    opposite: speak out, speak up
    near: articulate, enunciate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Murmur

The most common words with a similar meaning to Murmur:

British: whinge, chunter
Chiefly British: maunder
beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, grunt, grunting, mumble, murmuring, mutter, muttering, bellyache, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, grizzle, growl, grump, inveigh, keen, kick, nag

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Murmur

Words with the opposite meaning of Murmur:

crow, delight, rejoice, speak out, speak up

Related Words for Murmur

challenge, demur, expostulation, niggle, objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink, rumor, undertone, whisper, babble, babbling, blab, blabbing, chatter, chattering, drivel, driveling, gabble, gabbling, jabber, jabbering, maundering, prattle, prattling, rambling, object (to), quarrel (with)

Near Antonyms of Murmur

commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend, articulate, enunciate

Word Forms of Murmur

Inflections: murmured, murmuring, murmurs

Derived words: murmurer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Murmur

Middle English, "continuous sound, complaint," borrowed from Anglo-French murmure (also continental Old French), probably noun derivative of murmurer "to murmur:2"

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Murmur

without a murmur

Frequently Asked Questions about Murmur

What does "Murmur" mean?

"Murmur" means a half-suppressed or muttered complaint, grumbling. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a half-suppressed or muttered complaint, grumbling. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Murmur"?

Other words for "Murmur" include beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance and gripe. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Murmur" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Murmur"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Murmur". Common alternatives include beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch and grouse.

What is the opposite of "Murmur"?

Antonyms of "Murmur" include crow, delight, rejoice, speak out and speak up. Near antonyms include commendation, compliment, plaudit and acclaim.

How do you use "Murmur" in a sentence?

Examples of "Murmur" in a sentence: "finished the tedious job without a murmur"; "could just barely hear the murmurs of the audience"; "no prisoner dared murmur out loud".

Is "Murmur" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Murmur" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Murmur"?

"Murmur" is pronounced /ˈmər-mər/ and divided into syllables as mur·mur.

What is the origin of the word "Murmur"?

"Murmur" comes from Middle English, "continuous sound, complaint," borrowed from Anglo-French murmure (also continental Old French), probably noun derivative of murmurer "to murmur:2". First known use: 14th century.