mumble
verb
mum·ble ˈməm-bəl 
mumbled; mumbling ˈməm-b(ə-)liŋ
intransitive verb
: to utter words in a low confused indistinct manner : mutter
transitive verb
1
: to utter with a low inarticulate voice
2
: to chew or bite with or as if with toothless gums
mumble noun
mumbler
ˈməm-b(ə-)lər
noun mumbly
ˈməm-b(ə-)lē
adjective 
Synonyms
- chunter [British]
- grunt
- mouth
- murmur
- mutter
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He mumbled something and then left. He mumbled “Goodbye” and then left. I can't understand you when you mumble.
Recent Examples on the Web The disorder was partially charming but mostly just cringe-inducing, to the point that maybe the show’s producers should have just fully embraced the chaos and hired John Wilson to mumble through the festivities. 
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 1 Mar. 2021 During the lecture, Hawking would mumble a few seemingly incoherent words, one of his graduate students familiar with his speech would translate into understandable English, and then Linde would translate into Russian. Alan Lightman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2021 But others have seemed nervous, mumbling or shuffling to find their papers. Mel Fronczek, The Indianapolis Star, 18 May 2020 My habit at the playground is to keep mostly to myself, mumbling small talk with the other dads only when not speaking at all would be more awkward. Teddy Wayne, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2020 Their sensationalisation of nigh-on any story is remarkable, where even someone mumbling Rojo's name in the streets of Istanbul could well have sparked this story. SI.com, 14 Aug. 2019 His awkward refusal, mumbling condolences, and phone-snatching have, inevitably, been used against him by critics. Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 10 Dec. 2019 Hopkins is in the same shuffling, mumbling mode he’s deployed in many recent performances (including his roles in the HBO show Westworld and the Thor series), and uses that appearance of absentmindedness to his character’s advantage. David Sims, The Atlantic, 29 Nov. 2019 The University of Louisville basketball coach — then the head coach at Xavier University — remembered Williams mumbling his way through a listless recruiting visit, his eyes half-open, his posture problematic. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2020 See More
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 1 Mar. 2021 During the lecture, Hawking would mumble a few seemingly incoherent words, one of his graduate students familiar with his speech would translate into understandable English, and then Linde would translate into Russian. Alan Lightman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2021 But others have seemed nervous, mumbling or shuffling to find their papers. Mel Fronczek, The Indianapolis Star, 18 May 2020 My habit at the playground is to keep mostly to myself, mumbling small talk with the other dads only when not speaking at all would be more awkward. Teddy Wayne, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2020 Their sensationalisation of nigh-on any story is remarkable, where even someone mumbling Rojo's name in the streets of Istanbul could well have sparked this story. SI.com, 14 Aug. 2019 His awkward refusal, mumbling condolences, and phone-snatching have, inevitably, been used against him by critics. Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 10 Dec. 2019 Hopkins is in the same shuffling, mumbling mode he’s deployed in many recent performances (including his roles in the HBO show Westworld and the Thor series), and uses that appearance of absentmindedness to his character’s advantage. David Sims, The Atlantic, 29 Nov. 2019 The University of Louisville basketball coach — then the head coach at Xavier University — remembered Williams mumbling his way through a listless recruiting visit, his eyes half-open, his posture problematic. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English momelen, of imitative origin
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Phrases Containing mumble
Kids Definition
mumble 1 of 2
verb
mum·ble ˈməm-bəl
mumbled; mumbling
: to speak softly so that words are not clear
mumble
2 of 2noun
: speech that is not clear enough to be understood
mumbling 1 of 3
adjective
as in muttering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- muttering
- stammering
- stumbling
- stuttering
- sputtering
- halting
- faltering
- hesitant
- maundering
- inarticulate
- voiceless
- tongueless
- unvocal
- tongue-tied
- mute
- speechless
- ineloquent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- articulate
- eloquent
- fluent
- glib
- voluble
- vocal
- verbal
- well-spoken
- silver-tongued
- outspoken
- facile
- expressive
- smooth-tongued
mumbling
2 of 3noun
as in murmuring
Synonyms & Similar Words
- murmuring
- mumble
- rumbling
- rumble
- murmur
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noise
- vociferation
- roar
- clamor
- howl
- hubbub
- outcry
- tumult
- hullabaloo
- din
- uproar
- jangle
- protest
- clangor
- racket
- outburst
- hue and cry
- cri de coeur
mumbling
3 of 3verb
as in mouthing
to speak softly and unclearly I can't understand you if you mumble Synonyms & Similar Words
- muttering
- murmuring
- mouthing
- whispering
- grunting
- chuntering
- babbling
- jabbering
- gibbering
- gabbling
- gasping
- chattering
- prattling
- panting
- blabbing
- drivelling
- rambling
- breathing
- driveling
- maundering
- buzzing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enunciating
- articulating
- speaking out
- speaking up