complaining 1 of 2

complaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle 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 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
At one practice during the fall of 2024, Washington’s assistant athletic director of football academics Diamond Brown was standing on the sideline when Jonah bounded up to her in full pads and begun complaining about his grade in a music class. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026 Indeed, the internet is full of workers complaining about how their jobs have become akin to manning an assembly line. Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 The late-night host slammed the president for being 45 minutes late to a meeting and complaining about the height of his chair. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 That’s hot as in everybody all packed tightly together, which is OK because everybody is one, gathered for the common goodness of putting aside all the grousing and complaining that’s been going on in the real world for too much of this century. Steve Buckley, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Sue Nibeck isn’t one for complaining. Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 While half the country spent the weekend complaining about America 250 and throwing a tantrum over UFC at the White House lawn, NASCAR chose to lean into it. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026 Stop whining and complaining, people. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026 That didn’t stop New Yorkers from complaining on social media. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 12 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
Verb
  • Stop whining and complaining, people.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
  • Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • An open 911 line allowed dispatchers to hear gunshots and people screaming inside the building.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • But doing grand openings and screaming out loud doesn't resonate with the brand.
    Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
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
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
Verb
  • 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
  • Fan and player discontent (as suggested by so many squad members apparently endorsing Salah’s recent social-media post grumbling about the team’s style of play), coupled with a failure to achieve the bare-minimum requirement this season, would surely make Slot’s position untenable.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • There was drama, remarkable goals and worrying injury in Sweden’s showdown with Japan at AT&T Stadium Thursday in the final Group F match.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
  • The president's strategy is already worrying some Democrats in swing districts, such as Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen on Long Island.
    Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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