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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complained
For years, some have complained that the groups shouldn’t be limited to neighborhoods, but rather have more open borders.
—
Dania Maxwell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The concern is so great that West End residents complained at a hearing on a neighborhood development proposal in late 2024 that they were forced to take longer, alternate routes just to avoid the near-constant gridlock.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Major studios have generally not complained about the fee, which represents a tiny fraction of a typical production budget.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Artists complained about excessive fees.
—Letitia James, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Before tipoff, Finch complained for a third straight day about the free-throw disparity in Game 1, when the Nuggets outscored Minnesota 30-14 from the stripe.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The problem has spread throughout Southern California, including in the Los Angeles County city of El Segundo, where residents complained of a months-long nightmare beginning in late 2025, when there was an influx of mosquitoes at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Putin's security staffers complained about the quality of the men's room serving the bureau.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, other fans complained Tuesday about the inability to watch Amazon’s coverage in bars and restaurants.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Dania Maxwell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The concern is so great that West End residents complained at a hearing on a neighborhood development proposal in late 2024 that they were forced to take longer, alternate routes just to avoid the near-constant gridlock.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Major studios have generally not complained about the fee, which represents a tiny fraction of a typical production budget.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Artists complained about excessive fees.
—Letitia James, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Before tipoff, Finch complained for a third straight day about the free-throw disparity in Game 1, when the Nuggets outscored Minnesota 30-14 from the stripe.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The problem has spread throughout Southern California, including in the Los Angeles County city of El Segundo, where residents complained of a months-long nightmare beginning in late 2025, when there was an influx of mosquitoes at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Putin's security staffers complained about the quality of the men's room serving the bureau.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, other fans complained Tuesday about the inability to watch Amazon’s coverage in bars and restaurants.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
-
None of them screamed commercial hit.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Video from witnesses posted on social media showed rapid gunfire for at least 45 seconds as people screamed and ran for cover.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 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
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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
-
Concern increased nationwide, with animal rights activists worried the wolf would be injured in the wild or perhaps killed during his rescue.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
However, investors are worried fewer patients will seek care as Affordable Care Act subsidies phase out, or uncompensated care costs will rise.—
Christina Cheddar Berk,Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
24 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
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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 27 Apr. 2026.
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