COMPLAINING Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

complaining 1 of 2

adjective

as in protesting

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Dissimilar Words

complaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of complain

as in whining

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

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 complaining

Adjective

An energy vampire has bad body language, the complaining look on their face, the vocal complainer. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026

Verb

Gal and Amora barely know each other, and Jaiden and Caleb have been complaining about one another for the past three days. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 6 July 2026 Also, the ocean offers genuine advantages, such as stable temperatures, an abundance of undisputed land, and no neighbors complaining about noise. — New Atlas, 5 July 2026 The issue is so entrenched that even college professors are complaining that undergrads are barely able to get through the basic reading they’re assigned. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 1 July 2026 Others are complaining that Windows is filled with bloat, making Apple’s macOS the better alternative. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 But John Healey stepped down as defense secretary this month after complaining that Starmer was not moving fast enough to meet the target. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 Still, some users are complaining online. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 This has fueled debate over their impact on the game, with some viewers complaining about being exposed to commercials during the three-minute stoppages. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026 These past few months in the Treasure Valley have been rife with local governments complaining about the position the Idaho Legislature has put them in. — Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaining

Adjective

The death toll includes at least 19 children, 21 non-protesting civilians, and 165 in government or security forces.

— The Hill, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2026
Among the dead were 13 children and 14 non-protesting civilians, HRANA said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026

Definition of protesting

Verb

From the outset of the selloff earlier this year, Jim Cramer was screaming from the rooftops that cyber should never have been lumped into run-of-the-mill enterprise software.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 7 July 2026
There were no vendors hawking bootleg royal-wedding merch, no screaming lines of fans, not even that many impromptu sing-alongs (some were solicited by journalists looking for content).

— Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 6 July 2026

Definition of screaming

Verb

The process left Carruthers bleeding and moaning on May 21, according to the witness, Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.

— Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026

Definition of moaning

Verb

An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.

— Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of muttering

Verb

Certain organizations, like the Baltimore Orioles, are notorious for never having enough arms, which can lead to grumbling from teams that do, like the Tampa Bay Rays.

— Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Add in concerns about heat, commercialization—my son is among those grumbling about water breaks during games, even when temperatures are mild—and the sheer size of the tournament, and there appears to be no shortage of reasons to complain.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Definition of grumbling

Verb

Spending so much time with Raskova’s frown was a miscalculation, when Sasha and Anastasia falling for each other, and Valya worrying about how Tanya’s past would haunt them forever, were so much more compelling.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Permission to retire, to spend, to travel, to help family members and to stop worrying about market headlines.

— Nathaniel Tilton, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of worrying

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Style

“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of complaining

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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