Mutters

To utter words in a low, indistinct voice, often inaudible or mumbled. This usually indicates a degree of privacy, annoyance, frustration, or introspection. The act of muttering suggests the speaker doesn't necessarily want to be heard, either by design or due to emotional constraints. It can involve a rapid, almost unintelligible speech pattern. This is also an expression often employed as a device in literature to give an insight into a character's true emotions and thoughts. The reasons behind muttering can range from simple internal reflection to discontent with a surrounding context. It can range from almost silent expressions to clearly articulated, hushed statements, and is frequently found in response to an unexpected development or upsetting occurrence.

Mutters meaning with examples

• Cornered by the irate manager, the employee mutters under his breath about 'impossible deadlines and unrealistic expectations.' His voice was so low, the manager couldn't hear, but the tone certainly indicated resentment. The employee wasn't trying to be disrespectful, but the pressure caused him to express his frustrations in hushed tones, allowing no chance for clarification.
• Lost in thought, the old woman mutters to herself as she walks through the park, recounting old memories and familiar rhymes. It was unclear if anyone could even understand the words being spoken, but the intonation hinted at a sense of fondness. Her muttering was her personal narrative, and she shared her thoughts to nobody but herself in an attempt to make sense of her existence.
• The anxious student mutters prayers during the test. Driven by a desire for success, and a fear of failure, the student finds themselves mumbling, seeking solace and good luck from a higher power, or just the will to carry on under the pressure. The indistinct words were almost inaudible, but the intensity of emotion was obvious through their focus.
• After dropping his ice cream cone, the child mutters a string of barely audible, yet understandable, complaints about 'clumsy hands' and 'unfairness.' Their voice was quiet, showing a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. The young child didn't want to be scolded for crying in public, but couldn't suppress their feelings in the moment.
• The detective mutters clues as he reads the case file aloud. It's not clear if this habit is for emphasis on the clues to be discovered, or his own private means of making sense of the information at hand. He is thinking out loud, but quietly enough so others could hear what he was considering, while not fully hearing his thoughts.