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
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Everybody’s complaining about somebody.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
All the while, Trump stays focused on complaining about the Supreme Court's decision and finding new ways to impose global tariffs that will only further strain our economy and raise prices for Americans.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
And skiers were only complaining more at his shop because the plastic around the toe was getting thinner to save weight.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
Lavery doesn't recall a single customer complaining about the credit card surcharge since it was implemented.
—David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Your corrupt presidency of graft, vengeance and ceaseless vacillation between loudly complaining and loudly boasting has become like a jackhammer outside our collective window every day since your inauguration.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
But please don’t stop complaining about the numerous kids who abuse traffic laws while riding dangerously on e-bikes.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
King began complaining to Bevel that the young seminarian was too ambitious.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 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
More recently, a project to construct community hubs for each of Harvey’s six wards has been in limbo, with residents complaining about the blight created by the unfinished construction sites at the most recent City Council meeting.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Everybody’s complaining about somebody.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
All the while, Trump stays focused on complaining about the Supreme Court's decision and finding new ways to impose global tariffs that will only further strain our economy and raise prices for Americans.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
And skiers were only complaining more at his shop because the plastic around the toe was getting thinner to save weight.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
Lavery doesn't recall a single customer complaining about the credit card surcharge since it was implemented.
—David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Your corrupt presidency of graft, vengeance and ceaseless vacillation between loudly complaining and loudly boasting has become like a jackhammer outside our collective window every day since your inauguration.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
But please don’t stop complaining about the numerous kids who abuse traffic laws while riding dangerously on e-bikes.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
King began complaining to Bevel that the young seminarian was too ambitious.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Then, while there was still enough light to see them plainly, the two came stalking out of the brush, growling and muttering.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 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 as for worrying about too much screen time, Woods has zero concerns.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The real media merger worth worrying about involves the control of local TV stations.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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