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
Put another way—and this is evidently how Gray saw it—Kanarek was always complaining. Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Piles of unopened mail, losing track of cash or checks and complaining about not having enough money are indicators that elders may need someone to take over their finances, according to the Elder Care Alliance. Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026 As fishermen wrestled their catches out of flimsy fiberglass boats near a makeshift shoreside market recently, several stopped to talk with CNN, complaining that the war is ruining business. Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 Yet Brown still expects the world to treat him like a generational thought leader who transcends basketball, all while complaining about how unfairly athletes are treated. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Uthmeier said parents complaining prompted his office to look into Netflix. Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026 Its Amazon reviews are just as positive, with just a few purchaser complaining about its weight. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Not that the pro players are complaining about the influx of Saudi money. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 But across San Ángel, anger was palpable, with many complaining about the government’s inaction. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 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
  • Still, to Sandy, Joe’s whining is no reason to write him off altogether.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • And everyone stop whining to their mom about the other one – or in this case, a federal judge.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • By the time the rock legends arrived, the black carpet was empty, aside from the herd of photographers and screaming fans.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Within seconds, protesters swarmed among the agents, screaming and holding their cellphones aloft.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Hall wrote in his report that Hamilton lay down in the backseat of the police vehicle, moaning and not responding, prompting first responders to give him Narcan.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Video released by the Milwaukie Police Department shows Descamps sprawled in a hospital bed, his body limp, moaning and drooling, while medical staff stood nearby.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When John finally reunites with Hal (who charges the ring against the lantern while quickly muttering his oath), the frustrated protégé immediately confronts his teacher with all the suspicions he was meant to keep secret.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Now, for the second straight summer, 49ers training camp goes on without him on the sideline — strolling, watching, eavesdropping, muttering.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There was no fussing and fighting and grumbling or anything like that.
    Scott Talley, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • There was, unshockingly, grumbling around several of these expansions, too.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That way, the Wildfire can be used more freely in hazardous areas without worrying about emptying the hangars.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
  • If traders start worrying the Fed could raise rates by half point hike at any meeting this year, that could hurt stocks.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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