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
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
Over the next weeks, parents and students began to complain vociferously about getting sick at school.
—
Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
In a relatable conversation, the pair complained and cracked jokes about how uncomfortable the breast cancer screenings are.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
My question is how to get the most out of this reunion without sitting around rehashing old issues/resentments and complaining about our parents, especially our mother.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
If the films disappoint, guests complain.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
In a relatable conversation, the pair complained and cracked jokes about how uncomfortable the breast cancer screenings are.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
My question is how to get the most out of this reunion without sitting around rehashing old issues/resentments and complaining about our parents, especially our mother.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
If the films disappoint, guests complain.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
-
The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Moments later, Holguin began screaming as the dogs — grabbing him around his legs and torso — dragged him toward the back of the driveway, Silva testified.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Her husband is directing a screaming grade-school-aged girl who is about to have a prosthetic finger bitten off.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The deputies ultimately roll him over before putting on handcuffs as Mull can be heard moaning in pain.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The recognizable munchies didn't stop the cast members from moaning, groaning and throwing up as usual.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hawke returns too, grumbling and growling behind a rubber mask (and, eventually, some grisly prosthetics).—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Enterprises grumble about uneven ROI from their AI pilots, regulators press harder on compliance and even startup founders whisper about inflated valuations.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
-
My husband has been muttering in a loop about tuition, books, food, and transportation to and from home to campus.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some furniture executives worry about rising prices and the lack of domestic manufacturing capacity.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
And while some worry that changing the exclusion could flood the market, Moody’s analysis finds that even a 25% spike in listings would only restore sales to normal, pre-crisis levels.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share