grouch
noun
ˈgrau̇ch 
1
a
: a fit of bad temper
b
: grudge, complaint
2
: a habitually irritable or complaining person : grumbler
grouch intransitive verb
Synonyms
- bear
- bellyacher
- complainer
- crab
- crank
- croaker
- crosspatch
- curmudgeon
- fusser
- griper
- grouser
- growler
- grumbler
- grump
- murmurer
- mutterer
- sourpuss
- whiner
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an uncle who is a real grouch when he's sick having been proven wrong, he had a grouch on for hours afterwards
Recent Examples on the Web Legendary animator Chuck Jones directed the story about a green-skinned grouch who sets out to spoil Christmas for the citizens of Whoville. 
Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2021 Ed was our real life Carl Fredricksen: a veneer of grouch over an incredibly loving and kind human being. Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2021 The Indiana forward accomplished a possible NBA first by getting into a skirmish with the Spurs’ Patty Mills, a player so affable as to make the Snuggle fabric softener bear seem like a grouch. Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2021 Her late husband—friend, adviser, sailor, grouch, almost an orphan, and perhaps a god—would surely wish for no less. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2021 Within two years, the comedy duo was on the air, with Tony Randall replacing Jack Lemmon as the fastidious Felix and Jack Klugman taking over for Walter Matthau in the role of slovenly grouch Oscar. Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 10 Sep. 2020 Her banter sings, particularly in the hands of a lovable grouch like Graham. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 June 2020 Guy Pearce plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the eternally spiteful and selfish grouch whose misdeeds against his workers and even their families are no longer inferred. Hunter Ingram, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2019 So your method of writing something personal is fine — provided your e-cards are not the animated sort that take up time and space on the computer, annoying grouches like Miss Manners. Judith Martin, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2019 See More
Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2021 Ed was our real life Carl Fredricksen: a veneer of grouch over an incredibly loving and kind human being. Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2021 The Indiana forward accomplished a possible NBA first by getting into a skirmish with the Spurs’ Patty Mills, a player so affable as to make the Snuggle fabric softener bear seem like a grouch. Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2021 Her late husband—friend, adviser, sailor, grouch, almost an orphan, and perhaps a god—would surely wish for no less. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2021 Within two years, the comedy duo was on the air, with Tony Randall replacing Jack Lemmon as the fastidious Felix and Jack Klugman taking over for Walter Matthau in the role of slovenly grouch Oscar. Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 10 Sep. 2020 Her banter sings, particularly in the hands of a lovable grouch like Graham. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 June 2020 Guy Pearce plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the eternally spiteful and selfish grouch whose misdeeds against his workers and even their families are no longer inferred. Hunter Ingram, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2019 So your method of writing something personal is fine — provided your e-cards are not the animated sort that take up time and space on the computer, annoying grouches like Miss Manners. Judith Martin, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
probably alteration of grutch grudge; from Middle English grucche, grugge, from grucchen — more at grudge
First Known Use
circa 1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
grouch 1 of 2
noun
ˈgrau̇ch
: a person who is irritable or complains a lot
grouch
2 of 2verb
grouched; grouching
: complain
grouch 1 of 2
noun
1
as in complainer
an irritable and complaining person an uncle who is a real grouch when he's sick Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- complainer
- crab
- bear
- grump
- curmudgeon
- sourpuss
- crank
- mutterer
- hunks
- grumbler
- whiner
- grouser
- growler
- griper
- murmurer
- crosspatch
- croaker
- kicker
- grinch
- killjoy
- fusser
- sorehead
- spoilsport
- nagger
- bellyacher
- defeatist
- nitpicker
- pessimist
- hypochondriac
- faultfinder
- quibbler
- party pooper
- malcontent
- objector
- crock
- repiner
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- optimist
- Pollyanna
- happy camper
2
as in pouts
a state of resentful silence or irritability having been proven wrong, he had a grouch on for hours afterwards Synonyms & Similar Words
- pouts
- pet
- irritability
- sulk
- sulkiness
- blues
- sullenness
- snit
- dumps
- fretfulness
- irritableness
- grouchiness
- sensitivity
- grumpiness
- crossness
- crankiness
- surliness
- mopes
- petulance
- surliness
- peevishness
- biliousness
- irascibility
- cantankerousness
- testiness
- orneriness
- disagreeableness
- perversity
- querulousness
- hump
- dyspepsia
- perverseness
- fantods
- pettishness
- choler
- waspishness
- fussiness
- crotchetiness
- irascibleness
- oversensitiveness
- huffiness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cheerfulness
- gayety
- gaiety
- perkiness
- friendliness
- lightheartedness
- geniality
- sociability
- affability
- agreeableness
- pleasantness
- graciousness
- amenity
- sociality
- cordiality
- amiability
- gladsomeness
- amicability
- amiableness
- high-spiritedness
- good-naturedness
- good-humoredness
- good-temperedness
3
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment it wouldn't be a workday if we didn't hear his daily grouch about how bad the coffee is Synonyms & Similar Words
- whine
- bitch
- complaint
- grumble
- grievance
- fuss
- moan
- gripe
- lament
- grouse
- whinge
- squawk
- whimper
- carp
- murmur
- kvetch
- bleat
- plaint
- yammer
- wail
- holler
- objection
- protest
- miserere
- beef
- demur
- remonstrance
- expostulation
- quibble
- challenge
- stink
- niggle
- kick
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliment
- praise
- commendation
- plaudit
- acclaim
- applause
- indorsement
- approval
- endorsement
- sanction
grouch
2 of 2verb
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely always seems to be grouching about the weather Synonyms & Similar Words
- complain
- scream
- whine
- grump
- moan
- bitch
- mutter
- worry
- grumble
- growl
- kvetch
- nag
- grizzle
- grouse
- bellyache
- gripe
- squeal
- cry
- whimper
- kick
- repine
- murmur
- squawk
- crab
- beef
- yammer
- caterwaul
- whinge
- keen
- carp
- holler
- wail
- yowl
- yawp
- inveigh
- bleat
- fuss
- maunder
- protest
- croak
- kick up a stink
- yaup
- kick up a fuss
- sob
- cavil
- stew
- quibble
- blubber
- fret
- lament
- quarrel (with)
- bewail
- object (to)
- bemoan
- deplore
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delight
- rejoice
- accept
- bear
- tolerate
- endure
- crow
- take
- cheer
- countenance
- applaud
- commend