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
Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
The fish are non-natives such as bass and carp.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 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
The more carp taken the more tickets one receives.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
The fish are non-natives such as bass and carp.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 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
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
-
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
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
-
Hearing the Creature screaming his name, Victor turns back.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
-
For all the talk about home-field advantage and the Bears needing their fans to scream 20 percent louder and be 30 percent drunker than usual, past precedent shows that won’t matter much.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Need to put a filling dinner on the table, but don't have a lot of time to fuss?—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Dunst doesn’t get fussed about that sort of thing.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Until Verizon amends its complaint and the judge rules on the emergency request, there is no court directive preventing the association from moving forward with the rooftop work that Verizon says would interrupt wireless service in the area.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Beyond the service commitments, the complaint accuses HMM of conditioning access to space on the payment of peak season surcharges (PSS) and other extra-contractual fees—despite contract language that expressly barred such add-ons unless mutually agreed.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
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
-
Suddenly a grouse exploded out of a bush directly behind him.—
Patrick F. McManus,
Outdoor Life,
25 Dec. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Carp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carp. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share