complained

Definition of complainednext
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 Several fans complained on social media about having a poor view of the singer's concert due to the tour's tall ramp structures. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026 Defense and foreign ministry officials this week formally complained to the Russian embassy about the air incident, the statement added. CBS News, 20 May 2026 That fight, actually a fun superhero brawl, something that has been in short supply in the series for a while, involved bringing in Ryan again, a character fans complained had been sidelined, despite his previous importance, now key to helping win the fight. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, some fans holding the flag or bearing anti-government slogans complained of being barred from some stadiums, but the policy wasn’t universal. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026 In those messages, Rydman allegedly complained about Muslim women wearing headscarves and said disparaging things about people from Somalia, Nigeria and the Middle East. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 Many Perplexity Pro users have complained on social media since Friday about new usage limits appearing on their accounts without any prior notification. James Peckham, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026 But over the last few weeks, Zayn has complained about the state of pro wrestling. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026 Portage resident Bruno Mendez complained Tuesday not about what a code violation cited him for but the way it was worded. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
  • His confidence wasn’t loud, but his steady production screamed franchise pillar.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Akinsulie screamed as the dog tore the flesh from his ankle, thighs, hip and wrist.
    Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 13 May 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
  • 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
  • Still, Davies is worried the demand for compute far outstrips capabilities to repurpose waste heat, and could lead to more data center construction that would further burden environmental capacity versus extend it.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 15 May 2026
  • Those earlier polls left some Democratic Party leaders worried that Democrats might get shut out entirely from the general election.
    Linh Tat, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Mira growled into her watch, excitedly.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on complained

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster