mumbles
Talks under breath
Mumbles is speech that's low, indistinct, or hard to understand—words spoken without clear articulation: I couldn't make out his mumbles from across the room.
As a verb form, someone who mumbles speaks unclearly, often from nervousness, reluctance, or inattention: She mumbles when she's embarrassed.
Indistinctly articulated
- garbledConfused and unintelligible
- incoherentLacking logical connection
- unintelligibleImpossible to understand
- inarticulateUnable to express clearly
muffled · indistinct · unclear · murmured · muttered · sotto voce · undertone · low
Complains in grumbling fashion
- gripesVoiced minor dissatisfactions
- muttersSpeaks indistinctly, softly
- grousingHabitual petty complaining
- disgruntledSullenly dissatisfied
discontented · griping · bellyaching · kvetching · groaning · moaning · whining · carping
Lacking courage or confidence
- bashfulUncomfortably self-conscious
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- reservedRestrained in manner
- hesitantSlow to act
meek · diffident · introverted · withdrawn · self-conscious · nervous · awkward · embarrassed
Suggesting secret plotting
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- secretiveInclined to conceal
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
surreptitious · stealthy · hushed · confidential · discreet · private · guarded · cryptic
Indistinctly articulated
- drunkenAffected by alcohol
- inebriatedIntoxicated by alcohol
- tipsyMildly intoxicated
- groggyWeak and unsteady
sloshed · buzzed · plastered · wasted · inebriate · boozy · hammered · soused
Troubled, not calm
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- squirmingTwisting restlessly from discomfort
- restlessUnable to be still
agitated · edgy · apprehensive · flustered · unsettled · uncomfortable · disconcerted · ill-at-ease
slurred
Indistinctly articulated
- garbledConfused and unintelligible
- incoherentLacking logical connection
- unintelligibleImpossible to understand
inarticulate · muffled · indistinct · unclear · murmured · muttered · sotto voce · undertone · low · quiet
grouses
Complains in grumbling fashion
- gripesVoiced minor dissatisfactions
- muttersSpeaks indistinctly, softly
- grousingHabitual petty complaining
disgruntled · discontented · griping · bellyaching · kvetching · groaning · moaning · whining · carping · sullen
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
hesitant · meek · diffident · introverted · withdrawn · self-conscious · nervous · awkward · embarrassed · sheepish
conspiratorial
Suggesting secret plotting
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- secretiveInclined to conceal
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
covert · surreptitious · stealthy · hushed · confidential · discreet · private · guarded · cryptic · veiled
slurred
Indistinctly articulated
- drunkenAffected by alcohol
- inebriatedIntoxicated by alcohol
- tipsyMildly intoxicated
groggy · sloshed · buzzed · plastered · wasted · inebriate · boozy · hammered · soused · blotto
uneasy
Troubled, not calm
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- squirmingTwisting restlessly from discomfort
restless · agitated · edgy · apprehensive · flustered · unsettled · uncomfortable · disconcerted · ill-at-ease · shifty
mumblesenunciates
Speaks with clear pronunciation
articulates · annunciates · declaims · orates · diction
mumblesdeclares
States openly and firmly
announces · asserts · pronounces · orates · holds forth
- mumble rapRap with unclear enunciation