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
There was little pushback from industry leaders or consumer advocates on Tuesday even though towing representatives had previously complained that the changes would add costs and consumer lawyers had objected that the recommendations didn’t go far enough to protect drivers.
—
Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
The continent’s flagship tournament will move to this new rhythm from 2028, aligning with European football calendars, after years of lobbying from Western club managers who complained their top African players were unavailable during AFCON season.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Many have complained about shelves being empty in stores, likely as suppliers and merchants fear selling cooking oil at a loss.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
His neighbors complained to the landlord, who sent an eviction notice.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
In November 2024, other parents also complained about Rick's alleged behavior, but took those complaints to the parish administrator and church pastors because Henning had not addressed the earlier allegations.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 6 Jan. 2026
However, taxpayers pay lower interest rates for issuing bonds and Dabrowski complained that the state was once a step above high-interest junk bond status.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Sean Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sam Bankman-Fried have all spent time here and have all complained about the conditions inside.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
The continent’s flagship tournament will move to this new rhythm from 2028, aligning with European football calendars, after years of lobbying from Western club managers who complained their top African players were unavailable during AFCON season.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Many have complained about shelves being empty in stores, likely as suppliers and merchants fear selling cooking oil at a loss.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
His neighbors complained to the landlord, who sent an eviction notice.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
In November 2024, other parents also complained about Rick's alleged behavior, but took those complaints to the parish administrator and church pastors because Henning had not addressed the earlier allegations.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 6 Jan. 2026
However, taxpayers pay lower interest rates for issuing bonds and Dabrowski complained that the state was once a step above high-interest junk bond status.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Sean Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sam Bankman-Fried have all spent time here and have all complained about the conditions inside.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
-
With this vote, you guys just screamed from the rooftops.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The announcer screamed into the microphone.—
Sara Schiff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Chip whined and nuzzled at my hand.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.—
Lauren Caruba,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
From the other room, the victim moaned.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
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
-
Trump in remarks before a House Republican retreat in Washington grumbled that Democrats were not giving him credit for a successful military operation, even though there was bipartisan agreement that Maduro was not the rightful president of Venezuela.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Several hard-line conservatives and fiscal hawks had grumbled about the bill prior to the rule vote.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
The Hill,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In contrast, 72% of respondents worried about the United States becoming too involved in the South American country, USA TODAY reports.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In contrast, 72% of respondents worried about the United States becoming too involved in the South American country.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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