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
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
Self was whistled for a ’T’ after complaining about a foul called on KU freshman Darryn Peterson as Peterson attempted to race past ASU’s Bryce Ford.
—Gary Bedore
march 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Neighbors in western Queens are complaining about a truck takeover on their streets.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Judge and Bellinger certainly weren’t complaining about the Yankees’ finances, as owner Hal Steinbrenner is set to fund a CBT payroll over $300 million for the third straight season despite his conditional support for a salary cap and floor.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Several residents spoke in favor of the ordinance during last week’s meeting, complaining that such vehicles are not only a visual blight but also the source of crime and other activity, while discouraging people from visiting nearby businesses.
—City News Service, Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Everybody’s complaining about somebody.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 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
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
Self was whistled for a ’T’ after complaining about a foul called on KU freshman Darryn Peterson as Peterson attempted to race past ASU’s Bryce Ford.
—Gary Bedore
march 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Neighbors in western Queens are complaining about a truck takeover on their streets.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Judge and Bellinger certainly weren’t complaining about the Yankees’ finances, as owner Hal Steinbrenner is set to fund a CBT payroll over $300 million for the third straight season despite his conditional support for a salary cap and floor.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Several residents spoke in favor of the ordinance during last week’s meeting, complaining that such vehicles are not only a visual blight but also the source of crime and other activity, while discouraging people from visiting nearby businesses.
—City News Service, Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Everybody’s complaining about somebody.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 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
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After months and months of ceaseless whining about the doxxing of ICE agents, there hasn’t been a single peep from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the future of facial recognition in Meta glasses.—
Sarah Jeong,
The Verge,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Extra points are awarded here to families who avoid any whining about this.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Something changed, though, because the next morning, Van Lent and Eikenberg entered into a screaming match in Naja’s office for everyone to see.—
Michael Adno,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
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In a post on Monday, the rescue said Denali has been screaming in pain and doesn't want to eat or get up.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While Slot was moaning about having to play two away matches in four days (and about missing a couple of key players), Emery, also without important figures such as Boubacar Kamara, was overseeing his Villa side playing the same tough schedule and win both games without conceding a goal.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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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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Nothing’s worse than worrying about an overly revealing neckline or an itchy zipper midway through dinner.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
3 Mar. 2026
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The Spurs are worrying about problems like this in the immediate, while the Bulls are far off from worrying about game-plan intricacies determining their success.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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