as in to scream
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the time-honored tradition of new recruits complaining about the food in the mess hall
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Recent Examples of complain
On Saturday, Daily Mail, citing a source, reported that Harbour faced an internal inquiry after Brown complained about his behavior toward her.
—
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Some Democratic lawmakers complained that so many last-minute earmarks had popped up in the spending bills.
—Wire Report, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Similarly, producers complained of having to spend more money hiring bilingual crew and cast when coproducing in Japan.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Many Chicagoans have complained about federal authorities' use of chemical agents and raids in residential areas.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Some Democratic lawmakers complained that so many last-minute earmarks had popped up in the spending bills.
—Wire Report, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Similarly, producers complained of having to spend more money hiring bilingual crew and cast when coproducing in Japan.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Many Chicagoans have complained about federal authorities' use of chemical agents and raids in residential areas.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
-
Chuck and Jim loved the sounds of spaghetti westerns, an influence instantly recognizable in the war-cry screaming sound that permeates his score.—
Bear McCreary,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Any artist could sit, whine, and complain about all the songs that didn’t strike well.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Chip whined and nuzzled at my hand.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
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There’s something moaning in the background.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McConnell grumbled about the government choosing to provide partial benefits, which requires states to reprogram their systems ‒ a process that could take days or weeks depending on the state.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The clip shows Lucie rushing into the sitting room, grumbling and growling loudly, and pointing into the kitchen.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Punk music and its spirit clearly worried the Soviet rulers.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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For voters worried about health-insurance coverage or the future of research in the United States, scientists, health-care workers, and public-health experts may have particular appeal right now, Shields told me.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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