gripe

verb

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\ ˈgrīp

griped; griping

Definition of gripe

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to complain with grumbling Students griped about having too much homework.

2 : to experience gripes

transitive verb

1a : irritate, vex griped by the new regulations

b : afflict, distress

2 : to cause pinching and spasmodic pain in the bowels of

3 archaic : seize, grasp

gripe

noun

Definition of gripe (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : grievance, complaint Her main gripe was his utter lack of ambition.

2 : a pinching spasmodic intestinal pain —usually used in plural

3 archaic : clutch, grasp broadly : control, mastery

Other Words from gripe Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About gripe

Examples of gripe in a Sentence

Verb All of the workers were griping about the new regulations. The students griped that they had too much homework. Noun I would rather not listen to gripes about your latest disasters in the dating game.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Many workers were quick to gripe in the comment section underneath the post announcing the change, according to several employees who viewed the post. — New York Times, 11 Mar. 2022 While some Northeast Ohio residents may gripe about shoveling out from a big snowstorm, skiers couldn’t be more ecstatic. — Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 15 Feb. 2022 Indeed, customers around the Louisville area have taken to social media over the past few months to gripe about bills that are 30% to 100% higher than those in previous months. — Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, 19 Jan. 2022 Unions representing health care workers gripe that far too many hospitals failed to fill staff vacancies or to retain pandemic-weary staff. — Philip Marcelo, Anne D'innocenzio, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2021 Privately, some may even gripe that Manchin might as well be a Republican. — Samuel Goldman, The Week, 20 Dec. 2021 In its comments section, followers do occasionally gripe and grumble about Mr. Todisco’s picks. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2021 In Season 8, one contestant, Lex, used his time to gripe about Rob, one of the finalists. — Sallie Tisdale, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2022 Good players shouldn’t gripe about not making the Pro Bowl. — Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Despite the lack of any legitimate gripe, Lakeway sided with the golfers. — Erica Smith Ewing, National Review, 1 Mar. 2022 Because for a few years, the biggest gripe about foldables was their $2,000-ish price. — Ben Sin, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 The biggest gripe one could have with the offense was third down (3 for 10) and those numbers can be misleading consider two included aforementioned sacks and another was followed by a conversion on fourth down. — James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 20 Sep. 2021 To be sure, Young’s primary gripe is the fact that Boudin did not prosecute one of the alleged assailants in his son’s killing in adult court, which could have yielded a longer sentence. — Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 May 2022 Those delicacies had disappeared from their homes, appearing only on Facebook, where millions of Cubans had started selling things and engaging in once-unthinkable gripe-fests, and Yanira was now staring at a post. — Washington Post, 21 May 2022 The Law & Order star also revealed his top gym gripe: bad equipment etiquette. — Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 18 May 2022 The comics in the 515 can be a proud bunch, prone to the odd clique and gripe over stage time. — Lee Keeler, SPIN, 10 May 2022 Not only that, but that tint can eliminate one huge gripe of typical sunscreens—namely, their hard-to-blend, white, or chalky residue. — Emily Rekstis, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gripe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.