mutter
- to utter words indistinctly or in a low tone, often as if talking to oneself; murmur.
- to complain murmuringly; grumble.
- to make a low, rumbling sound.
- to utter indistinctly or in a low tone: to mutter complaints.
- the act or utterance of a person who mutters.
Origin of mutter
Synonyms for mutter
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for mutter
moan, growl, groan, whisper, snarl, murmur, sputter, complain, grouse, muddle, rumble, grouch, swallow, grunt, croakExamples from the Web for mutter
Contemporary Examples of mutter
As Democrats mutter privately that their Senate majority is sinking beneath the waves, their leadership has sent out an SOS.
But when you do so, make sure to mutter the appropriate things about poverty, “the empire,” and the scourge of “neoliberalism.”
The theory here seems to be that to mutter about the jews off the record would be perfectly fine.
Historical Examples of mutter
"No living aunt ever looked as you do now," Kitty will mutter, shaking her head.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
I heard him mutter as he neared the boat-house where Fin and I were stowing cargo.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
I was near enough to hear him mutter: "How the devil comes this here?"
The Prisoner of ZendaAnthony Hope
A shadow flitted in front of it, and he stopped to chuckle evilly and mutter.
Louisiana LouWilliam West Winter
Gervaise entered, greatly embarrassed, not even daring to mutter an excuse.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
mutter
- to utter (something) in a low and indistinct tone
- (intr) to grumble or complain
- (intr) to make a low continuous murmuring sound
- a muttered sound or complaint
Word Origin for mutter
Mutter
- Anne-Sophie. born 1963, German violinist
Word Origin and History for mutter
early 14c., moteren "to mumble," from a common PIE imitative *mut- "to grunt, mutter" (cf. Old Norse muðla "to murmur," Latin muttire "to mutter," Old High German mutilon "to murmur, mutter; to drizzle"), with frequentative suffix -er. Related: Muttered; muttering.
1630s, from mutter (v.).