as in protesting
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Dissimilar Words
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
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Recent Examples of complaining
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Many are complaining about their local property tax.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Whitney has been complaining to Conner that Jen has been weirdly unfriendly at the Dancing With the Stars studio.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
In fairness, the Jayhawks’ offense and overall explosiveness may have been hindered by the Big 12’s glass court, with players and coaches from many teams complaining about the footing throughout the event.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit on a referral from the Federal Trade Commission, which noted in 2024 that consumers had spent years complaining about early termination fees for Adobe products.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
What was once a vibrant part of the downtown has largely been abandoned by shoppers, and businesses are complaining about the lack of parking.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
On the hottest of hot Disney theme park days, a portable fan can be a great way to cool off and minimize complaining from the littlest members of your group.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
Neighbors in western Queens are complaining about a truck takeover on their streets.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
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
Paktyawal began complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains while being held in a holding room at the Dallas ICE field office on Friday evening and was taken to the hospital to receive breathing treatment, the agency said.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Many are complaining about their local property tax.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Whitney has been complaining to Conner that Jen has been weirdly unfriendly at the Dancing With the Stars studio.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
In fairness, the Jayhawks’ offense and overall explosiveness may have been hindered by the Big 12’s glass court, with players and coaches from many teams complaining about the footing throughout the event.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit on a referral from the Federal Trade Commission, which noted in 2024 that consumers had spent years complaining about early termination fees for Adobe products.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
What was once a vibrant part of the downtown has largely been abandoned by shoppers, and businesses are complaining about the lack of parking.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
On the hottest of hot Disney theme park days, a portable fan can be a great way to cool off and minimize complaining from the littlest members of your group.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026
Neighbors in western Queens are complaining about a truck takeover on their streets.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 5 Mar. 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
Verb
-
McGraw has been doing the work Close arguably couldn’t for weeks without coming across as whining.—
Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Paige is little more than a dumb blonde stereotype, another underwritten female character in Sheridan’s growing oeuvre, but Chapman laces her babyish whining with surprising bite, while showing a knack for physical comedy.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Witnesses recorded a video of Barranco screaming in pain as four agents piled on top of him and punched him during the arrest.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Late in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game at Madison Square Garden, with the lead slipping away in what would eventually be a 110-107 Warriors loss to the Knicks, Steve Kerr was caught on camera screaming and pointing at Will Richard after a turnover.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
While lying on the pavement, he could be heard moaning as an officer shouted at him not to move.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When his teams didn’t entertain, Moe became the show, this cursing, grumbling, rumpled 6-foot-5 firebrand who dressed like a ’70s private detective, a disheveled anti-hero who detested suits.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile Isom is also facing grumbling over his leadership and the company’s performance from another union, the Allied Pilots Association.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And the escalating war in Iran is worrying some that higher prices across the board will soon follow.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports soft job numbers, stubborn inflation and rising gas prices, spurred on by the Iran conflict, are worrying Republicans about an impending electoral backlash in November.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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