complained

past tense of complain

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 complained By early 1775, Quebec’s governor complained that this letter was stirring up the population by planting dangerous doubts about British imperial authority. Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Smith has long complained that Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, hindered the province’s energy industry and fueled separatist sentiment. ABC News, 2 July 2026 In the lead-up to this summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup, critics complained about prices, domestic politics, international geopolitics, supposed fan apathy, logistical hurdles and more. Andrés Martinez, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 People living in the complex have complained of mold and bug infestations. Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The court’s liberals complained that the majority’s ruling restricting challenges to legislative districts as unfair to minority voters essentially overturned a previous decision – even if the opinion didn’t say so. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The two women talk, and Ashley repeats that Trevor was involved in a blackmail scheme with Dennis, but that Trevor complained about his cut. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026 Many complained that the government lacked heavy machinery to move rubble. Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026 In the meantime, residents of the Los Angeles neighborhood have complained of respiratory symptoms, and local businesses have tried to push on while feeling the economic impact spurred by the haze that has become a daily — and anxiety-inducing — occurrence. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
  • Thompson screamed at the MTA worker before grabbing her and slashing on the left side of her nose, just below her eye, according to prosecutors.
    Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • Ghosn’s name screamed out by shareholder As Nissan executives attempted to reassure investors that the company's latest turnaround plan would restore profitability, frustration boiled over inside the meeting hall.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Traffic hummed and whined on I-85.
    Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
  • Second, in a report of their own, the pro-business commissioners whined that all of this was unfair.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Coach Arne Slot moaned about VAR but his problems lie much closer to home.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.
    Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The congresswoman, her staffer and I grumbled about how unpredictable the House schedule has been lately.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Some soccer purists grumbled about the World Cup expanding this year from 32 to 48 teams.
    Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Shami, overwhelmed with grief, was taken to the maternity ward to be monitored, with doctors worried about her and the baby.
    Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 26 June 2026
  • OpenAI has worried that Elon Musk's company's initial rally and subsequent fall signals retail investors may have less interest in buying, the report said.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Jack White, who growled and grinded as the singer/guitarist of the White Stripes and has since positioned himself as a primal rock god on his own, is showing a new side as a sculptor with a show opening in a London gallery run by none other than Damien Hirst.
    Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026
  • Mira growled into her watch, excitedly.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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