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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in protesting
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complaining
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Lyons said store owners had been complaining about the retail for some time.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Last year, the federal government sent hundreds of troops to Michoacan to protect lime growers complaining of extortion threats.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Beginning in January 2021, Lorincz, who is White, made half a dozen calls to 911 complaining about the children in her neighborhood — sometimes, concerning Owens' four young kids, who are Black.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Just six months later, in June, the museum closed its doors for a day as workers there went on strike, complaining of unmanageable crowds, understaffing and poor working conditions in a building unable to handle its current popularity.
—Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Romo was starting to describe how Mahomes was complaining about the attempt being unsuccessful when he was interrupted by the Chiefs running the ball and picking up the first down.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The police described the situation leading to Santos-Rosario’s arrest as typical of the type of behavior city residents have been complaining about regarding mopeds.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Foulla Niotis says her 17-year-old daughter, Maria, and Maria's best friend, Isabella Salas, were run down and killed by Maria's stalker despite months of complaining to police.
—Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Dani has fallen asleep, though only after complaining vociferously about the light.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Lyons said store owners had been complaining about the retail for some time.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Last year, the federal government sent hundreds of troops to Michoacan to protect lime growers complaining of extortion threats.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Beginning in January 2021, Lorincz, who is White, made half a dozen calls to 911 complaining about the children in her neighborhood — sometimes, concerning Owens' four young kids, who are Black.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Just six months later, in June, the museum closed its doors for a day as workers there went on strike, complaining of unmanageable crowds, understaffing and poor working conditions in a building unable to handle its current popularity.
—Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Romo was starting to describe how Mahomes was complaining about the attempt being unsuccessful when he was interrupted by the Chiefs running the ball and picking up the first down.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The police described the situation leading to Santos-Rosario’s arrest as typical of the type of behavior city residents have been complaining about regarding mopeds.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Foulla Niotis says her 17-year-old daughter, Maria, and Maria's best friend, Isabella Salas, were run down and killed by Maria's stalker despite months of complaining to police.
—Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaining
Verb
-
Chip heeled tight to my left, his ears laid back, whining softly.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Marcus poked out his bottom lip, but no whining this time.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There’s screaming, crying and even a little slapping.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
While in the costume, the former Disney star also replicated the photo that started it all and filmed a hilarious video pretending to be Poot screaming and fighting for freedom in a garage.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There’s something moaning in the background.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The deputies ultimately roll him over before putting on handcuffs as Mull can be heard moaning in pain.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My husband has been muttering in a loop about tuition, books, food, and transportation to and from home to campus.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
15 Sep. 2025
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He was also heard muttering expletives down the stretch, visibly battling the heat and pressure.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The clip shows Lucie rushing into the sitting room, grumbling and growling loudly, and pointing into the kitchen.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
-
This year, quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn’t been able to make up for the lack of yards on the ground with a downfield attack, leading to some public grumbling from his receivers.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This allows Ukrainian soldiers to conduct bold exploratory missions deep into the territory now controlled by Russia while not worrying about losing their Starlink signal.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Is there a health issue that's worrying you?—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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