as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
the usual carp about that restaurant is that the service is slow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
someone who carps and whines about everything is a pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cavil
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant
carped about the order of names on the wedding invitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of carp
Marta Balaga, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Invasive species such as Asian carp further jeopardize native habitats and fisheries, costing the regional economy billions and risking ecological stability.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2024
If Crean Lutheran wins this league’s championship there will be carping about why a private school with growing athletic ambitions still is in a league with public schools.
—Steve Fryer, Orange County Register, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for carp
Noun
Niedenthal’s photo of a cinema playing ‘Apocalypse Now’ while the apocalypse is happening on the streets, the carp in the bathtub, the girl who wants to watch cartoons in the morning but [political leader] General Jaruzelski is on TV.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Invasive species such as Asian carp further jeopardize native habitats and fisheries, costing the regional economy billions and risking ecological stability.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Jeff Black Los Angeles :: Respectfully, the fans carping about coach DeShaun Foster after three games of a predictably difficult season are missing an essential point.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2024
If Crean Lutheran wins this league’s championship there will be carping about why a private school with growing athletic ambitions still is in a league with public schools.
—Steve Fryer, Orange County Register, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for carp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carp
Noun
-
Deciphering the vocalizations involves both sound and context, as a dog’s bark or whine may be tied to its situation, Zhu said.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Boston Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The unfiltered electric soundtrack of the Evija goes from a piercing whine to an ear-splitting shriek.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In recent years, staff have complained of poor working conditions brought on by overcrowding, despite director Laurence des Cars’s 2023 move to cap attendance at 30,000 visitors daily, accompanied by a ticket price increase.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Later that day, the parents of other dancers and talent-show participants complained that my afro had covered up their kids on-screen.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Naysayers often cavil that California’s economic growth depends almost entirely on Silicon Valley and the capital gains income of its wealthiest residents, but its primacy in high technology encompasses fields outside Northern California, such as biotech.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2021
-
However, the actual interiors of this four-bedroom home are nothing to cavil at.—
Kelly Corbett,
House Beautiful,
7 Oct. 2020
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
-
As the migrants boarded, a man hoisted one of the passengers in the air, a fussing 8-month-old baby whose face was flushed red from the heat.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The final Queen of France was often homesick and would fuss about the performative nature of her aristocratic duties.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To date, none of the criminal complaints filed in this case mention any anti-gay text messages, social media posts or comments made by the defendants, whose communications were being secretly monitored and taped by undercover informants and agents.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Shah said the news has led to over 500 complaints.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something moaning in the background.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While animals like rabbit, quail and grouse are commonly used in the culinary arts, other animals that are legally allowed for consumption may pose health risks.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
No one ever accused me of threatening the local grouse population.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Carp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carp. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share