muttering

Verb

mutter (third-person singular simple present mutters, present participle muttering, simple past and past participle muttered)

1. (intransitive, transitive) To utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath.
   • You could hear the students mutter as they were served sodden spaghetti, yet again, in the cafeteria.

   Synonyms:

   growl, grumble, mumble

2. To speak softly and incoherently, or with imperfect articulations.
   • The asylum inmate muttered some doggerel about chains and pains to himself, over and over.

   Synonyms:

   babble, mumble, murmur, ramble, stutter

3. To make a sound with a low, rumbling noise.
   • April could hear the delivery van's engine muttering in the driveway.

   Synonyms:

   growl, putter, rumble

See all 6 meanings of mutter