gripe

verb \ ˈgrīp \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Examples: gripe in a Sentence

Definition of gripe

griped; griping

transitive verb

1 archaic : seize, grasp

2 a : afflict, distress

b : irritate, vex

griped by the new regulations

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

intransitive verb

1 : to experience gripes

2 : to complain with grumbling

Students griped about having too much homework.

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griper

noun

See gripe defined for English-language learners

See gripe defined for kids

Examples of gripe in a Sentence

All of the workers were griping about the new regulations.
The students griped that they had too much homework.

Recent Examples of gripe from the Web

Forced to divide his time in the engine room as well as doing his duties on the deck, the four guys stuck doing all the heavy lifting can’t help but gripe about the fact that Tony isn’t pulling his weight, despite what’s going on below deck.

— tyler mccarthy, Fox News, "'Deadliest Catch' Season 14, Episode 14 recap: Tensions rise as crews members misbehave," 10 July 2018
Let’s make a midweek holiday something to cherish instead of something to gripe about.

— nestor ramos, BostonGlobe.com, "The Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year. And that presents some . . . challenges," 2 July 2018
For now, the Liberty seem disinclined to gripe about being relocated from a world famous arena to a facility that also hosts a reptile expo and a seminar on knife fighting.

— seth berkman, New York Times, "The Liberty, in Transition, Make a New Home in the Suburbs," 19 May 2018
Source: Second Measure Whole Foods’ new delivery service has led some customers to gripe.

— laura stevens, WSJ, "Attention, Amazon Prime Members Who Shop at Whole Foods: You’re in Luck," 16 June 2018
When less commercial artists win the big awards -- think Steely Dan and Herbie Hancock winning Album of the Year -- music fans gripe.

— robert levine, Billboard, "The Recording Academy Seeks New Leader, But For What Exactly? (Column)," 12 June 2018
Former devotees routinely gripe on social media that the software has become too difficult to use.

— dina bass and nate lanxon, chicagotribune.com, "Don't skype me: How Microsoft turned consumers against a beloved brand," 14 May 2018
And institutional-minded lawmakers will certainly gripe that any changes that strip away majority power would make the House function more like the Senate, with its complex rules that protect the minority.

— lisa mascaro, The Christian Science Monitor, "Centrist House members see opportunity with Ryan's retirement," 7 June 2018
One of the many things Bostonians love to argue (or gripe) about is the layout of the city.

— nina maclaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, "Book design by icon king Chermayeff; New England Society book awards;," 25 May 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of gripe

Middle English, from Old English grīpan; akin to Old High German grīfan to grasp, Lithuanian griebti

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

gripe Synonyms

Phrases

kick up a fuss;

gripe

noun

Definition of gripe

1 archaic : clutch, grasp; broadly : control, mastery

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

3 : grievance, complaint

Her main gripe was his utter lack of ambition.

Examples of gripe in a Sentence

I would rather not listen to gripes about your latest disasters in the dating game.

Recent Examples of gripe from the Web

Standing behind the bar, watching the dancers gyrate, Flynt heard gripes about girlfriends and wives, bosses and politicians.

— Cincinnati Enquirer, "Read more from this Project," 13 July 2018
Their main gripe is that Dreamers could eventually qualify for green cards and thus have a pathway to citizenship.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Trump’s Immigration Choice," 20 June 2018
While the speech offered little new policy, Xi affirmed or expanded on proposals to increase imports, lower foreign-ownership limits on manufacturing and expand protection to intellectual property -- all central issues in Trump’s trade gripes.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "What firing Mueller would mean for the GOP," 10 Apr. 2018
While the speech offered little new policy, Xi affirmed or expanded on proposals to increase imports, lower foreign-ownership limits on manufacturing and expand protection to intellectual property -- all central issues in Trump’s trade gripes.

— Bloomberg.com, "Zuckerberg Testifies Before Senate Panel," 10 Apr. 2018
The sentiment was shared by Busch, who, like Harvick, is considered among the most talented in car control, so their gripes could be an indication NASCAR has gone too far.

— jenna fryer, Houston Chronicle, "NASCAR's youth brigade will lead the charge in today's Daytona 500," 17 Feb. 2018
The role of national environmental groups in driving the agreement has deprived voters of influence even as proponents of green energy gripe about the interference of advocacy groups opposed to their measures.

— jason hayes, WSJ, "A California Billionaire Sets Michigan’s Energy Policy," 22 June 2018
Every mistake is magnified and every gripe and grumble, amplified.

— charles p. pierce, SI.com, "There's a Silver Lining in Having So Many Complaints About NHL Playoff Officiating," 7 May 2018
Summer is here—and chief among the gripes beauty obsessives will be exchanging in the blazing heat is how to deal with makeup that smudges, smears, or just plain vanishes when sweat and humidity become a daily obstacle.

— celia ellenberg, Vogue, "11 Melt-Proof Mascaras to Carry You Through the Summer," 27 June 2018