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
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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
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Recent Examples of carp
Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Massignac, France Occupying a 13th-century château that’s two hours by car from Bordeaux, Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Collection has seven tranquil ponds stocked with carp, perch, and pike dotted across its 2,500-acre grounds.
—Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
This boost in fandom’s age and status possibly explains its current sense of privilege, its tendency to carp and cavil rather than contribute or create.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 28 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for carp
Noun
Bring a fishing pole, as Sugar Creek is filled with bass, carp, and a host of panfish.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Massignac, France Occupying a 13th-century château that’s two hours by car from Bordeaux, Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Collection has seven tranquil ponds stocked with carp, perch, and pike dotted across its 2,500-acre grounds.
—Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Those carping about the vibes are not going to convince the vibes proponents to back down.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
This boost in fandom’s age and status possibly explains its current sense of privilege, its tendency to carp and cavil rather than contribute or create.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 28 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for carp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carp
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The large Sunbridge development is planned nearby, but there are no current residents anywhere near it to complain.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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But Kesselman said his sister had unbelievable courage and never complained.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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However, the actual interiors of this four-bedroom home are nothing to cavil at.—
Kelly Corbett,
House Beautiful,
7 Oct. 2020
Verb
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The cover art shows Robyn screaming and topless.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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One fan’s decision to belt out power ballads instead of just screaming during Stanford’s free throws at the ACC Tournament has turned into the most shareable fan moment heading into March Madness.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Asparagus fern is very tolerant of indoor living, doesn't fuss too much about watering schedules, and can make do with less-than-ideal lighting conditions.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Your son is fussing in his car seat.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The default ruling means that Rourke failed to take action to defend against the eviction complaint within the time allowed by law.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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The complaint requested that the judge find the administration’s policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments and bar it from being implemented.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Charles was dating Diana’s older sister, Lady Sarah Spencer, and came to their family home for a grouse hunt.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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Kafer continues the bias against wolves by insinuating that the state has reintroduced lynx, elk, moose, turkeys, grouse, ferrets, and now wolverines based on science, but not wolves.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carp. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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