as in to whine
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complain
But whatever Powell says might well be overshadowed by Trump, who will no doubt complain this afternoon that Powell did not cut rates.
—
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 June 2025
The pilot, a 73-year-old Lee’s Summit man, complained of pain and was taken to an area hospital with a possible injury, officials said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
One man complained that two of his collectible baseball cards worth over $6,800 were missing from his package, police wrote in an arrest affidavit.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
Patterson complained about her in-laws behind their backs Erin and Simon Patterson got married in 2007 and, after splitting and reconciling multiple times over the years, separated permanently in 2015.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 June 2025
The pilot, a 73-year-old Lee’s Summit man, complained of pain and was taken to an area hospital with a possible injury, officials said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
One man complained that two of his collectible baseball cards worth over $6,800 were missing from his package, police wrote in an arrest affidavit.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
Patterson complained about her in-laws behind their backs Erin and Simon Patterson got married in 2007 and, after splitting and reconciling multiple times over the years, separated permanently in 2015.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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Shildt is terrible for the Padres — the last thing that group of guys needs is someone encouraging their wild mood swings between whining and macho antics.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to ‘stop whining’ and get to work Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the approach of President Trump’s administration.—
Andre Garron,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2025
Verb
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The Pacers' star went down and immediately screamed in pain.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Verb
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There’s no point moaning without offering some kind of solution.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Erik Windsor said fire crews removed a manhole cover in the general area of the storm drain opening, inserted a powerful listening device and heard moaning.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some industry folks have grumbled that changes to the program only allow large-scale competition shows, excluding other reality productions, documentary programming and game or talk shows, to qualify.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
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Players around the league have grumbled about being cooped up in the casino, nowhere to go.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2025
Verb
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McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
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Grandpa got up from his armchair and shuffled into the kitchen, muttering about needing a drink.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Concerns about student overuse and misuse are still prevalent: About half of teachers worry that student use of AI will decrease teens’ ability to think critically and independently or to have persistence when problem solving, according to the study.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
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After studies had linked chronic exposure to high levels of mercury found in fish and whale blubber to developmental delays, scientists began to worry about the element’s effects on the young brain.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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