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
Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Many suits came from roofing and paving companies, architects, lumber suppliers and similar businesses complaining that Ferrigno’s company never paid them for materials and labor at his various housing construction sites in Avon and Simsbury.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
If released on bond, Curtis must wear a GPS tether and cannot have contact with the complaining witness, the children or his ex-wife's residence.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Fans used to agree, complaining when the show would keep mixing former and first-time players, or bemoaning the same faces playing over and over again.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
McDonald's launch of its McNugget Caviar promotion quickly sold out, with some users complaining of a website crash.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The host began the segment with a compilation of the usual right-wing talking heads, including Megyn Kelly, Benny Johnson and Fox News’ finest, performatively complaining about the Super Bowl Halftime Show being performed in Spanish.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
The action comes as the legal gambling industry has been complaining that the state’s new per-wager tax on sports betting is driving gamblers to unlicensed websites.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Administration officials said the plan will help the West move beyond complaining about the problem of access to critical minerals to actually solving it.
—Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 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
Cover your ears, look away, or grab a hot dog — after all, not every artist is for everyone, and complaining won’t change that.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Many suits came from roofing and paving companies, architects, lumber suppliers and similar businesses complaining that Ferrigno’s company never paid them for materials and labor at his various housing construction sites in Avon and Simsbury.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
If released on bond, Curtis must wear a GPS tether and cannot have contact with the complaining witness, the children or his ex-wife's residence.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Fans used to agree, complaining when the show would keep mixing former and first-time players, or bemoaning the same faces playing over and over again.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
McDonald's launch of its McNugget Caviar promotion quickly sold out, with some users complaining of a website crash.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The host began the segment with a compilation of the usual right-wing talking heads, including Megyn Kelly, Benny Johnson and Fox News’ finest, performatively complaining about the Super Bowl Halftime Show being performed in Spanish.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
The action comes as the legal gambling industry has been complaining that the state’s new per-wager tax on sports betting is driving gamblers to unlicensed websites.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Administration officials said the plan will help the West move beyond complaining about the problem of access to critical minerals to actually solving it.
—Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 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
-
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
-
Over the past few years, LaBeouf has managed to keep his screaming to a minimal and (mostly) onscreen habit.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Running, screaming, and after sliding on my knees.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 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
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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
-
But the bad news is that outside of a mutual prisoner exchange, both sides walked away muttering the same old positions.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
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
-
Instead of worrying about ratings, the new late-night creators are directly beholden to their viewers.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
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But Joe Garcia, a Democratic former congressman from Miami, said that stance could backfire as Cuban Americans begin worrying about their relatives on the island.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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