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
People at home are complaining about the game and the intensity of it.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Advertisement One white mother complained that mixed children felt the sting of discrimination more sharply.
—Dorothy Roberts, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Since last spring, lawyers and advocates have complained of inadequate medical care, contaminated food and minimal schooling for children held there.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Still others complained about the steep cost.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Advertisement One white mother complained that mixed children felt the sting of discrimination more sharply.
—Dorothy Roberts, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Since last spring, lawyers and advocates have complained of inadequate medical care, contaminated food and minimal schooling for children held there.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Still others complained about the steep cost.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
-
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy — The images of Lindsey Vonn down on the snow, screaming in pain and then being airlifted off the course by helicopter after her crash at the Olympics were a stark reminder of the dangers of the downhill.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
People didn’t scream out answers.—
Jeff Banowetz,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But students who are spending their time protesting, whining about the grading system and seeking easy classes don’t seem to fit that mold.—
Mitch Zimmer,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Passersby hear its shrieks and moans from the road.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Fennell begins on a black screen and the sound of creaks and moans.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When his teams didn’t entertain, Moe became the show, this cursing, grumbling, rumpled 6-foot-5 firebrand who dressed like a ’70s private detective, a disheveled anti-hero who detested suits.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has grumbled about the pace of implementation of a similar deal with South Korea, a key competitor with Japan on auto manufacturing, and threatened to increase tariffs once again.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the village, men mutter about their land being taken over by outsiders.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
But the bad news is that outside of a mutual prisoner exchange, both sides walked away muttering the same old positions.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone worried about corporate takeover was put at ease from day one.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The crowded field has some Democrats worried about the possibility of both Hilton and Bianco making it into the runoff, shutting out the party that has controlled the Governor’s Office since 2011 if Democrats split the vote.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
