mumble
verb (used without object)
to speak in a low indistinct manner, almost to an unintelligible extent; mutter.
mumbled
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past participleof mumble.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof mumble.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
mumbleverb (used without object)to speak in a low indistinct manner, almost to an unintelligible extent; mutter.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It took only a few words mumbled with a mouthful of burger for Tom Curtis to strike a blow against his biggest competitor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
Fed Chair Jerome Powell mumbled something about “ample reserves” and pointed back to 2019, when the repo market seized up overnight and forced the Fed to rush in with emergency cash.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 2, 2025
But Mamdani’s speech was not the ritual of unity and healing they wanted and expected, and they were reduced to mumbled excuses about the microphone, his tone of voice and his inexperience.
From Salon ● Nov. 8, 2025
Kawhi Leonard mumbled his way through a few answers to questions Monday about his endorsement deal with Aspiration Partners that has triggered an NBA investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the league salary cap.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2025
“Sorry, hamster. Can’t sleep,” he mumbled to me as he flicked on the remote.
From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney
