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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complain
And in a world telling you to suck it up, be tough, not complain, and not cry, ever?
—
Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The news comes as numerous top players have complained about the length of the season and the demanding nature of the schedule.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Some complain that the boisterous, anthemic version on the album belies the cynical point of view of a Vietnam veteran.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The president calls his wife and complains about the sole of his shoe before heading off to a girls’ basketball event with Angel Reese.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The news comes as numerous top players have complained about the length of the season and the demanding nature of the schedule.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Some complain that the boisterous, anthemic version on the album belies the cynical point of view of a Vietnam veteran.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The president calls his wife and complains about the sole of his shoe before heading off to a girls’ basketball event with Angel Reese.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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In the end, McGovern included clips from early morning airport chaos, rain on the Hawaiian beaches, the aftermath of a bloody lip and plenty of screaming and crying.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Momentum indicators aren't screaming buy at current levels.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Any artist could sit, whine, and complain about all the songs that didn’t strike well.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Chip whined and nuzzled at my hand.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
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There’s something moaning in the background.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The clip shows Lucie rushing into the sitting room, grumbling and growling loudly, and pointing into the kitchen.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Employees grumble over who gets to park where and how offices were allocated (or who got an office with walls in the first place), exposing deep resentments about favoritism, status, and fairness.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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