as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
tired of the kids bellyaching every time they're asked to mow the lawn or take out the trash
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Recent Examples of bellyaching
The phrase on the front led the group to burst into a bellyaching laughter.
—
Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
So stop the bleating and bellyaching over Bronzeville.
—Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
But alas, developers Game Freak have opted to improve the aesthetics just enough to skirt online bellyaching rather than making any attempt to wow fans.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
So stop the bleating and bellyaching over Bronzeville.
—Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
But alas, developers Game Freak have opted to improve the aesthetics just enough to skirt online bellyaching rather than making any attempt to wow fans.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellyaching
Verb
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As of today, however, not everyone is complaining.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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Late last year, a group of advocates successfully pushed the city to expand an off-leash area for dogs at MacArthur Park after complaining that the city lacked adequate space for animals to roam.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Linebacker Oh, linebacker, a position screaming out for help and coming away with nothing, much like most Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight tackle attempts in the first half of last season.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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In the video, recorded by Mortensen on his cellphone, Paul can be seen screaming and throwing metal chairs, one of which struck one of her children who witnessed the altercation, according to the criminal indictment.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For the puppy, leaving its mother and littermates can be stressful at first, and crying or whining is normal.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Or get ready for a lot of groaning and whining.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But a male voice could be heard moaning in the background.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellyaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellyaching. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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