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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Recent Examples of complained
Iranian leadership complained that visas for key staff members were being held up and the tumult was disturbing its preparation for the tournament.
—
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
Some residents had complained about discoloration, sediment, odors and health concerns.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
After Collins opposed the White House’s signature tax cut and spending package last year, and voted against a proposal to claw back $9 billion in foreign aid and public media funding, the president complained about her on social media.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Though Iran complained about Israel’s earlier attacks in southern Lebanon, the strikes did not spur a reaction.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Too shallow a sand layer can create the trampoline effect that Martínez complained about.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Consumer advocates have questioned whether some of the company's marketing claims about data privacy align with disclosures in its privacy policy, while some users have complained about bill-negotiation fees and Premium subscription charges.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Advertisement Calmer heads complained that the policy would increase the cost for commuters and small businesses that bring vehicles into the heart of London.
—Justin Worland, Time, 3 June 2026
Fans complained about tickets not scanning and others were unable to enter.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
Some residents had complained about discoloration, sediment, odors and health concerns.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
After Collins opposed the White House’s signature tax cut and spending package last year, and voted against a proposal to claw back $9 billion in foreign aid and public media funding, the president complained about her on social media.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Though Iran complained about Israel’s earlier attacks in southern Lebanon, the strikes did not spur a reaction.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Too shallow a sand layer can create the trampoline effect that Martínez complained about.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Consumer advocates have questioned whether some of the company's marketing claims about data privacy align with disclosures in its privacy policy, while some users have complained about bill-negotiation fees and Premium subscription charges.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Advertisement Calmer heads complained that the policy would increase the cost for commuters and small businesses that bring vehicles into the heart of London.
—Justin Worland, Time, 3 June 2026
Fans complained about tickets not scanning and others were unable to enter.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
-
Upon hearing the newborn's middle name, the mom of 19 screamed in excitement, adding that her grandfather would cry knowing the newborn was connected to him.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Anyone standing near you has the right not to get screamed at, berated, or kicked in the nuts.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
6 Dec. 2025
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
-
The sound of a heavy machine motor moaned from a tractor evening out the soil covering an oval enclosure, about the size of a football field.—
Jon-Michael Banks,
Kansas City Star,
31 July 2025
-
Even in California, a reliably blue state, the soul-searching has been extreme, as seen at last weekend’s state Democratic Party convention, where a parade of speakers — including Harris’ 2024 running mate, Tim Walz — wailed and moaned and did the woe-is-us-thing.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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
-
The Stromtroopers turned, muttered that there was nothing to see here, and walked away.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
McConnell grumbled about the government choosing to provide partial benefits, which requires states to reprogram their systems ‒ a process that could take days or weeks depending on the state.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Once the launchpad for Oscar juggernauts from Slumdog Millionaire to La La Land, TIFF has in recent years watched rivals Venice and Telluride siphon away its prestige premieres, while buyers grumbled about thinner slates and softer deal flow.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Some experts have worried that their use even in a learning context could stunt development.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The earth growled and Acatenango’s fiery twin erupted in the distance.—
Tess Moormans,
Travel + Leisure,
27 July 2025
-
And those bears popped their teeth, whuffed, growled, and grumbled all night.—
Jim Rearden,
Outdoor Life,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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