grunt 1 of 2

1
as in grunting
speech that is not clear enough to be understood preoccupied with what he was doing, the mechanic gave only a grunt when I asked when the car would be ready

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2
as in laborer
a person who does very hard or dull work we have an opening in the warehouse if you don't mind doing grunt work

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grunt

2 of 2

verb

as in to mutter
to speak softly and unclearly was so absorbed with the video game that when asked what he wanted for dinner, he just grunted

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grunt
Noun
Then, the researchers performed a statistical analysis of specific two-call combinations — such as a grunt followed by a bark — that were documented in multiple animals. Evan Bush, NBC news, 11 May 2025 Colt seems to be able to interpret Paco’s grunts as requests to keep a bar, rewind, or start from scratch. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
The falls, it should be said, are beautiful; pose for a photo, and keep grunting up that hill. Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 7 Apr. 2025 The man grunts, preoccupied with the survival of his business. Hazlitt, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for grunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grunt
Noun
  • In one of the tents set up for the devotees in the capital, laborer Ankit Gupta put out plates and food in anticipation of the arrival of the next group of pilgrims.
    Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
  • The document lacks details on how states’ regulations would be judged, but some blue states, like California and New York, have already started passing laws protecting workers’ rights against AI—with support from unions and laborers.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Before immediately snapping, sighing loudly, or muttering a passive-aggressive comment, try pausing to consider what else might be going on first: Maybe your barista’s slammed with 10 other complicated orders, for instance, or your housemate had a brutal week at work.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025
  • McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.
    Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • This comprehensive approach to worker welfare stands as a model for how fashion brands can operate ethically while producing extraordinary work.
    Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • In 2017, the former bodega worker was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
    KC Baker, People.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • Tell Grammy that on this side of the Atlantic there is nothing to mumble about.
    John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
  • The teen, bare-chested with unkempt hair under an askew cap, mumbles through a half-hearted apology and refuses to remove his ostentatious sunglasses when asked by the interviewer.
    EW.com, EW.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The whispers grow louder as the beeping becomes more frequent until finally, the alarm sounds.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • On LinkedIn, whispers of stealth layoffs and hiring freezes are growing louder.
    Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The songs are not so much compositions as elliptical confessions, murmured rather than declared.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
  • Mason's family murmured their disdain from the back of the courtroom while Broadwell addressed her.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.
    Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Ford decided to mouth his last name at the end, a decision that caused observers to break out in laughter.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grunt. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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