as in screamed
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
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Recent Examples of complained
Paez Terán's parents have complained that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has refused to give them answers about the events surrounding his death.
—
Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
While famous guests, like tennis star Serena Williams, Chicago Sky WNBA player Angel Reese and actress Marlee Marlin, held events, many attendees complained about sparse decorations and limited events, and many on social media are calling the event a scam.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Hursh’s attorneys, State Farm complained, were seeking materials on 30 topics, with 101 subparts, covering 15 years of State Farm history.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
Others complained that workplace rewards are often food-based, questioning why appreciation so rarely considers people with dietary restrictions or different health goals.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Cruise passengers complained about cabin problem, now ships are making a big change.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
For years, would-be first-time homebuyers have complained about the skimpy inventory of starter homes, saying costly McMansion-style subdivisions are all that’s being built now.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
Consumer groups, independent pharmacies, and drugmakers rightly complained for years that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have used their position as supply chain middlemen to benefit themselves at the expense of patients and payers.
—Neeraj Sood, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026
Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
While famous guests, like tennis star Serena Williams, Chicago Sky WNBA player Angel Reese and actress Marlee Marlin, held events, many attendees complained about sparse decorations and limited events, and many on social media are calling the event a scam.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
In response, traditionalists have gnashed their teeth and complained that the dark essence of the music has been lost.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Hursh’s attorneys, State Farm complained, were seeking materials on 30 topics, with 101 subparts, covering 15 years of State Farm history.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
Others complained that workplace rewards are often food-based, questioning why appreciation so rarely considers people with dietary restrictions or different health goals.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Cruise passengers complained about cabin problem, now ships are making a big change.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
For years, would-be first-time homebuyers have complained about the skimpy inventory of starter homes, saying costly McMansion-style subdivisions are all that’s being built now.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
Consumer groups, independent pharmacies, and drugmakers rightly complained for years that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have used their position as supply chain middlemen to benefit themselves at the expense of patients and payers.
—Neeraj Sood, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
-
The tow truck operator screamed at the sedan’s driver.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The son screamed and stopped the attack.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Never whined, even as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play deteriorated last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 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
-
Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.—
Lauren Caruba,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Robbins was replaced at center by Adam Treu, the Raiders lost 48-21 to a Bucs team led by former Raiders coach Jon Gruden and teammates openly grumbled about Robbins in the aftermath.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Judy Garland grumbled into a tape recorder in the mid-nineteen-sixties.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some lawmakers worried the change wouldn’t actually help Idahoans purchase homes.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Some immigrant advocates worried that there was no mechanism to verify that the information posted on the application was real.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Come on, the gunman growled, turning and walking and beckoning with the pistol for Adi to follow.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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