as in to scream
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the time-honored tradition of new recruits complaining about the food in the mess hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 complain
Across the country, more consumers are complaining about debt collections, according to government data.
—
William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Neighbors had complained for years about the property in rural Lake Hughes, where gusts of wind carried the stench and constant barking of hundreds of dogs.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
And hey, no one can complain about free parking.
—Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Your instinct may be to jump into problem-solving mode, but sometimes your friend just needs to complain.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Neighbors had complained for years about the property in rural Lake Hughes, where gusts of wind carried the stench and constant barking of hundreds of dogs.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
And hey, no one can complain about free parking.
—Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Your instinct may be to jump into problem-solving mode, but sometimes your friend just needs to complain.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
-
Despite the high tech projections and precise lighting and sound effects and the whole thing about people turning into rhinoceri, this a wondrously theatrical production, based on real people talking and emoting and screaming and waving their arms about.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Slayr raps, sings, and screams across this thing, producing most of it himself with frequent contributions from the producer wa.—
Mano Sundaresan,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With LeBron James buying into a supporting actor role, the Lakers are a legitimate threat because Doncic is more focused on scoring buckets than whining to officials.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Part of it is [capturing] the color of light in the morning or the sound of drones whining in the air.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Strong was furious, grumbling all the way across the court about her defeat.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2026
-
While DiCaprio is experiencing failure for the first time, Wahlberg’s box-office bona fides continue to expand, even if the critics like to grumble about his limitations as an actor.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t worry too much about things being perfect, either.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ukraine’s top sanctions adviser is worried the mountain of restrictions piled against Russia’s oil and gas industry since 2022 is close to crumbling under the weight of soaring global oil prices.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
