complained

verb

past tense of complain
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

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 Before it was knocked out, Iran's team had complained about unfair treatment in the World Cup. — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026 The pickup’s driver complained of pain after the collision and was arrested by CHP officers at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence, said CHP officials. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026 The agency had found six violations of state code by the company after detainees complained about a lack of protective equipment and proper training while cleaning the facility for $1 per day. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Two deputy district attorneys later complained that their then-boss, District Attorney Mark Peterson, killed the probe to protect Kramer. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Capital One got around federal limits on swipe fees by buying Discover’s card network; other banks complained, then went out looking for their own loophole. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 July 2026 Residents complained about teenagers popping wheelies through shopping centers, blowing stop signs, weaving around pedestrians and treating greenways like race courses. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 Haaland complained to referee Anthony Taylor about Gabriel pulling him back, but got short shrift. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
  1. screamed
  2. whined
  3. moaned
  4. muttered
  5. grumbled
  6. worried
  7. growled
Verb
  • One passenger, identified only as Christina, told Thessaloniki radio that passengers panicked and screamed and that one passenger was partially sucked out of the window.
    — Costas Kantouris, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • There was no pomp and circumstance by Haaland, though his teammates screamed and jumped on his back.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of screamed
Verb
  • After a few casts, Rubye’s rod bent, and the reel whined as line spooled out.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
  • Traffic hummed and whined on I-85.
    — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Definition of whined
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
Definition of moaned
Verb
  • Bat met ball and, under his breath, Astros manager Joe Espada muttered an expletive.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of muttered
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
Definition of grumbled
Verb
  • Even if the bond was granted, Wilber worried his family wouldn’t have the funds to pay his bail, which can cost thousands of dollars.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • During the Revolutionary War, General Washington worried that British troops were stockpiling weapons and ammunition in the fort and preparing to attack northern colonies.
    — Lane Degregory, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of worried
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
Definition of growled

Browse Nearby Words

complainants
complained
complainer
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Cite this Entry

“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of complained for Spanish Speakers

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