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
Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Spousal involvement with an AI is a growing reason for divorce, with partners complaining about the amount of time and money their spouses were spending on their AI relationship.
—Lori Andrews, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Emissions from the turbines led to community uproar, with residents complaining of a stench, health problems and an inability to keep their windows open at home.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
But who's complaining about that?
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Whitney called out Meredith for complaining about production during the reunion.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 Jan. 2026
Hundreds of Orange County parents packed into school cafeterias in the past two weeks to vent their frustrations about plans to close seven public schools, complaining the decisions were made without their input and sharing fears that switching schools will hurt their children’s education.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The city's aging fleet has received scrutiny, with residents complaining as recently as last month about unplowed streets across neighborhoods.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
But the same town also was sued in November by Stillson LLC, a company complaining because zoners approved an 8-30g project.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
The complaining witness in the case is Robert Held, a local attorney who has often protested at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in nearby Broadview.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Spousal involvement with an AI is a growing reason for divorce, with partners complaining about the amount of time and money their spouses were spending on their AI relationship.
—Lori Andrews, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Emissions from the turbines led to community uproar, with residents complaining of a stench, health problems and an inability to keep their windows open at home.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
But who's complaining about that?
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Whitney called out Meredith for complaining about production during the reunion.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 Jan. 2026
Hundreds of Orange County parents packed into school cafeterias in the past two weeks to vent their frustrations about plans to close seven public schools, complaining the decisions were made without their input and sharing fears that switching schools will hurt their children’s education.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The city's aging fleet has received scrutiny, with residents complaining as recently as last month about unplowed streets across neighborhoods.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
But the same town also was sued in November by Stillson LLC, a company complaining because zoners approved an 8-30g project.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 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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But students who are spending their time protesting, whining about the grading system and seeking easy classes don’t seem to fit that mold.—
Mitch Zimmer,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Some had noisy bearings, which could sound like a whining noise.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After National Guardsmen shot and killed four unarmed students at Kent State on May 4, 1970, Neil Young saw a Life magazine photo of a teenage girl screaming over one of the bodies and immediately wrote this song.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
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An astute writer, Aristidou avoids including a screaming match typical of stories like this.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 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
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The volume has gone up again since Ruben Amorim’s recent departure, muttering darkly about Gary Neville’s outside influence in particular.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The older lady who was muttering to herself in casting is there.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some ponied up, even while grumbling online.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
My father was also sullen from the vodka, and after grumbling some would fall asleep on his grungy sleeper berth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most of my mindset is just worrying.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
And the notion that Democrats are sitting around worrying that there will never be another clean election—that’s not true.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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