Grumble vs. Grunt — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Grumble typically denotes a low, continuous, and often discontented murmur, while grunt is a short, low sound made typically to express effort or pain.
Difference Between Grumble and Grunt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Grumble often conveys a feeling of dissatisfaction or complaint expressed in a murmuring tone, often used when someone is annoyed or unhappy. On the other hand, grunt is generally a short, guttural sound, frequently associated with animals or humans exerting themselves physically or reacting to sudden discomfort.
Grumbles are usually verbalized in a somewhat coherent speech, albeit muttered under one’s breath. Whereas grunts are non-verbal and instinctive, typically devoid of any linguistic content.
A person might grumble about everyday annoyances, such as bad traffic or a disappointing meal, which allows for an expressive, albeit quiet, articulation of displeasure. Conversely, a grunt might occur during physical labor, such as lifting heavy objects, or as an involuntary reaction to an unexpected pain.
Grumbles can be part of a conversation or a soliloquy, used to communicate discontent indirectly to others. In contrast, grunts are often involuntary and serve more as a physiological response than a communicative one.
The act of grumbling can be sustained over a period, forming a background of murmured discontent. Grunts, however, are brief and sporadic, erupting suddenly in response to specific stimuli.
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Comparison Chart
Sound Length
Long, continuous
Short, abrupt
Communication Type
Verbal, coherent
Non-verbal, instinctive
Typical Use
Expressing annoyance or dissatisfaction
Expressing effort or physical response
Linguistic Content
Contains words or murmured speech
Lacks words, purely sound
Context of Occurrence
During conversation or in reaction to annoyance
During physical exertion or in response to pain
Compare with Definitions
Grumble
Expression of minor grievances in a low tone.
She grumbled under her breath about the cold coffee.
Grunt
An abrupt, expressive sound often used nonverbally.
With a grunt, he pushed the door open.
Grumble
To complain quietly about something.
He grumbled that the meeting was too early.
Grunt
A short, low sound typically made by an animal.
The pig emitted a loud grunt.
Grumble
To show dissatisfaction in a low, ongoing manner.
He grumbled about the slow internet speed all morning.
Grunt
A vocal sound made by a human in exertion.
He grunted as he lifted the heavy box.
Grumble
A low, murmuring sound indicating displeasure.
She grumbled about the untidiness of the room.
Grunt
A sound reflecting minimal verbal communication.
He answered with a grunt when asked if he was tired.
Grumble
Continuous, discontented muttering.
Under his breath, he grumbled throughout the tedious lecture.
Grunt
An inarticulate, instinctual noise in response to discomfort.
She grunted in pain after bumping her toe.
Grumble
To complain in a surly manner; mutter discontentedly
"The governed will always find something to grumble about" (Crane Brinton).
Grunt
To utter a deep guttural sound, as a hog does.
Grumble
To rumble or growl.
Grunt
To utter a sound similar to a grunt, as in disgust.
Grumble
To express in a grumbling discontented manner
Grumbled a rude response.
Grunt
To utter or express with a deep guttural sound
He merely grunted his approval.
Grumble
A muttered complaint.
Grunt
A deep guttural sound.
Grumble
A rumble; a growl.
Grunt
Any of various chiefly tropical marine fishes of the family Haemulidae that produce a grunting sound by rubbing together their pharyngeal teeth.
Grumble
(onomatopoeia) A low thundering, rumbling or growling sound.
Grunt
(Slang) An infantryman, especially in the US Army or Marine Corps
“No one knows the cost of war better than the grunts” (Nathaniel Fick).
Grumble
The sound made by a hungry stomach.
Grunt
(Slang) One who performs routine or mundane tasks.
Grumble
A surly complaint.
That whiner is never without a grumble to share.
Grunt
New England A dessert made by stewing fruit topped with pieces of biscuit dough, which steam as the fruit cooks. Also called slump.
Grumble
(intransitive) To make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.
The distant thunder grumbles.
Grunt
A short snorting sound, often to show disapproval, or used as a reply when one is reluctant to speak.
Grumble
(intransitive) 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.
Grunt
The snorting cry of a pig.
Grumble
(transitive) To utter in a grumbling fashion.
Grunt
Any fish of the perciform family Haemulidae.
Grumble
To murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.
L'Avare, not using half his store,Still grumbles that he has no more.
Grunt
A person who does ordinary and boring work.
Grumble
To growl; to snarl in deep tones; as, a lion grumbling over his prey.
Grunt
An infantry soldier.
Grumble
To rumble; to make a low, harsh, and heavy sound; to mutter; as, the distant thunder grumbles.
Grunt
(slang) The amount of power of which a vehicle is capable.
Grumble
To express or utter with grumbling.
Grunt
(North American) A dessert of steamed berries and dough, usually blueberries; blueberry grunt.
Grumble
The noise of one that grumbles.
Grunt
To make a grunt or grunts.
Grumble
A grumbling, discontented disposition.
A bad case of grumble.
Grunt
To make a grunt or grunts.
Grumble
A loud low dull continuous noise;
They heard the rumbling of thunder
Grunt
To break wind; to fart.
Who just grunted?
Grumble
A complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
Grunt
To make a deep, short noise, as a hog; to utter a short groan or a deep guttural sound.
Who would fardels bear,To grunt and sweat under a weary life.
Grumble
Show one's unhappiness or critical attitude;
He scolded about anything that he thought was wrong
We grumbled about the increased work load
Grunt
A deep, guttural sound, as of a hog.
Grumble
Make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath;
She grumbles when she feels overworked
Grunt
Any one of several species of American food fishes, of the genus Hæmulon, allied to the snappers, as, the black grunt (A. Plumieri), and the redmouth grunt (H. aurolineatus), of the Southern United States; - also applied to allied species of the genera Pomadasys, Orthopristis, and Pristopoma. Called also pigfish, squirrel fish, and grunter; - so called from the noise it makes when taken.
Grumble
To utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds;
He grumbled a rude response
Stones grumbled down the cliff
Grunt
A U. S. infantryman; - used especially of those fighting in the war in Vietnam.
Grumble
Make a low noise;
Rumbling thunder
Grunt
The short low gruff noise of the kind made by pigs
Grunt
An unskilled or low-ranking soldier or other worker;
Infantrymen in Vietnam were called grunts
He went from grunt to chairman in six years
Grunt
Medium-sized tropical marine food fishes that utter a grunting sound when caught
Grunt
Issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise;
He grunted his reluctant approval
Common Curiosities
Is a grunt always negative?
While often associated with effort or discomfort, a grunt can also be neutral, simply indicating exertion.
What does it mean to grunt?
To grunt means to make a short, low sound, typically as a response to physical exertion or pain.
Are there different types of grunts?
Yes, grunts can vary from communicative grunts in speech to instinctual responses to physical activities.
What are the common situations in which someone might grunt?
Common situations include lifting weights, straining during physical tasks, or reacting to sudden pain.
What is a grumble?
A grumble is a low, murmuring sound that expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance.
Can grumble be used to describe sounds other than speech?
Generally, grumble is used to describe a type of murmured speech, not other sounds.
How do people typically use the word 'grumble' in a sentence?
People use 'grumble' to describe a scenario where someone expresses quiet complaints.
Can animals grunt?
Yes, many animals, especially pigs, are known for their characteristic grunts.
Is grumbling always a verbal action?
Yes, grumbling involves low speech or murmuring and is always verbal.
Why do people grumble?
People grumble to express their displeasure or dissatisfaction in a somewhat subdued manner.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
