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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of complained
Horner complained that the delivery truck didn’t have a working backup camera.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
In emails shared with the Tribune, Clint Litle also complained to Tower management about disparaging comments allegedly made about his wife’s appearance, including about her makeup and hair extensions.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Criticisms of the Miami signature bridge project To critics who have complained from the start that the project was a waste of taxpayer money better spent on expanding public transit, the inflated costs and delays are all too predictable.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
But fans have complained that Stern usually only hosts his show about three days a week, takes summers off and long breaks around the holidays.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
The UConn coach also complained at halftime that Sarah Strong didn’t get a foul call despite her jersey getting ripped.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Moore’s team has complained both publicly and privately that the investigation is needlessly hostile and politically motivated.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term featured record numbers of disappearances and homicides, complained that political adversaries were exaggerating the problem to smear his reputation and legacy.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
In emails shared with the Tribune, Clint Litle also complained to Tower management about disparaging comments allegedly made about his wife’s appearance, including about her makeup and hair extensions.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Criticisms of the Miami signature bridge project To critics who have complained from the start that the project was a waste of taxpayer money better spent on expanding public transit, the inflated costs and delays are all too predictable.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
But fans have complained that Stern usually only hosts his show about three days a week, takes summers off and long breaks around the holidays.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
The UConn coach also complained at halftime that Sarah Strong didn’t get a foul call despite her jersey getting ripped.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Moore’s team has complained both publicly and privately that the investigation is needlessly hostile and politically motivated.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term featured record numbers of disappearances and homicides, complained that political adversaries were exaggerating the problem to smear his reputation and legacy.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
-
In punt return drills involving receiver Mikey Matthews, UCLA players rushed him, screamed at him and sprayed him with water in an attempt to prevent him from catching the ball.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Lee screamed, running toward Knueppel and shaking a bottle of water over his head.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 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
-
Back then, purists grumbled that the modern reinterpretation of the British classic departed from the rough and tumble identity of Defenders past.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Aura grumbled along with her classmates.—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Child care was something that his parents had worried about after arriving from the Dominican Republic.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Lawyers for police officers reported numerous calls from clients worried their personnel and medical records were exposed, raising the prospect of more costly litigation.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The wereboar growled next to Black Pudding, a hulking vicious monster, both focused on ripping Puck and Cordelia to shreds.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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