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
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Recent Examples of complain
Rather than complaining and predicting economic ruin, Americans treated rationing as noble.
—
Gil Troy, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Some Toyota fans reacted poorly to the announcement, complaining about the loss of the hybrid version of the Highlander that Toyota has marketed since 2005.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
The song came after Snoop complained about the appearance of a same-sex couple in the Disney film Lightyear during an interview on the It’s Giving … Podcast last August.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
But this was not a day to complain on the Cattail course at Whirlwind Golf Club.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Gil Troy, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
Some Toyota fans reacted poorly to the announcement, complaining about the loss of the hybrid version of the Highlander that Toyota has marketed since 2005.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
The song came after Snoop complained about the appearance of a same-sex couple in the Disney film Lightyear during an interview on the It’s Giving … Podcast last August.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
But this was not a day to complain on the Cattail course at Whirlwind Golf Club.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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For families This hotel doesn’t scream family-friendly and there’s no kids’ menu in the restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Martens plans to scream, if not louder, than with more originality.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or get ready for a lot of groaning and whining.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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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
-
King asked James, who had been grumbling.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The proud bronze lions outside the Art Institute are getting very annoyed and starting to grumble.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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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
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Hernandez said he was encouraged by recent meetings with Republican members of Congress from his home state, Florida, but worries other priorities will drown out the bill, as has happened in the past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Ajmera said her neighbors worry the center could impact their water bills or introduce loud humming noises to the largely residential area.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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