Mutterings

Mutterings are indistinct or low-voiced utterances, often expressing discontent, complaint, or vague thoughts. They're typically barely audible and may indicate annoyance, confusion, or private contemplation. The act of muttering often avoids direct confrontation or clear articulation, implying a degree of secrecy or reluctance to be fully understood. These subdued expressions can range from grumbles and grunts to fragments of sentences, revealing underlying emotions or reactions to a situation. It's often a social indicator of a person's current mood or their reactions to a situation.

Mutterings meaning with examples

• As the referee's controversial call was announced, a wave of mutterings spread through the stadium. Fans exchanged frustrated glances, their barely audible complaints filling the air. Even from the press box, I could hear the collective discontent rise in hushed whispers. The general consensus, if the muttering served as any indication, was that the ruling was entirely unfair, and many booed as a result. This went on for several minutes.
• Lost in her thoughts while walking down the busy city street, she heard mutterings nearby, seemingly directed at her appearance. Ignoring them, she quickened her pace, deciding the whispers were of no importance to her. Her shoulders tensed slightly, but she kept her focus on the direction ahead. It was a hot day and she felt slightly annoyed that the voices even existed. It was far too hot to take notice of such things, she decided.
• During the tense negotiation, the lead negotiator’s mutterings became more frequent and increasingly agitated. He shuffled his papers and ran a hand through his hair; it was clear that he was frustrated with the slow progress. His team members exchanged anxious glances, attempting to anticipate his reaction to the other party's stubborn resistance. The tension in the room heightened with each barely audible sound that he made.
• After receiving the disappointing news, all she heard were low mutterings from those in attendance as she was leaving. There was a lot of shuffling of feet. It was a great loss for the group and the lack of excitement became abundantly clear with only a few low noises being made. The heavy silence that came right before had only been punctuated by the quiet mutterings, expressing the general sorrow.