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
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
But many Spotify users voiced displeasure at the change-up, with some complaining that the disco ball looked pixelated on a small phone screen and, generally, was visually displeasing.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 June 2026
Stop whining and complaining, people.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
That didn’t stop New Yorkers from complaining on social media.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 12 June 2026
No formations, no expected goals, just unadulterated, cynical judgment from someone who needs a break from complaining about the Giants’ bullpen.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
The move was met with outrage, with fans criticizing the singer for jumping the gun and complaining that the weather had cleared up before becoming too serious.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
Many of the performers are complaining that they were tricked into performing.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
In March, Kim revealed that she was introduced to Garrett by her physical therapist after complaining about dating.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 2 June 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
The amplifying of complaining subcontractors, always easy to find.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
But many Spotify users voiced displeasure at the change-up, with some complaining that the disco ball looked pixelated on a small phone screen and, generally, was visually displeasing.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 June 2026
Stop whining and complaining, people.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
That didn’t stop New Yorkers from complaining on social media.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 12 June 2026
No formations, no expected goals, just unadulterated, cynical judgment from someone who needs a break from complaining about the Giants’ bullpen.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
The move was met with outrage, with fans criticizing the singer for jumping the gun and complaining that the weather had cleared up before becoming too serious.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
Many of the performers are complaining that they were tricked into performing.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
In March, Kim revealed that she was introduced to Garrett by her physical therapist after complaining about dating.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 2 June 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
-
Stop whining and complaining, people.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
-
Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The cells are basically screaming ‘Hey, our DNA is getting cooked here,’ and that stimulates the pigment cell.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
-
Police said officers were dispatched after a caller reported hearing a woman screaming inside an apartment.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The process left Carruthers bleeding and moaning on May 21, according to the witness, Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add in concerns about heat, commercialization—my son is among those grumbling about water breaks during games, even when temperatures are mild—and the sheer size of the tournament, and there appears to be no shortage of reasons to complain.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Fan and player discontent (as suggested by so many squad members apparently endorsing Salah’s recent social-media post grumbling about the team’s style of play), coupled with a failure to achieve the bare-minimum requirement this season, would surely make Slot’s position untenable.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
In Disclosure Day, Jane’s worrying is curious, coming from someone who meant to become a nun.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
-
Looking to be quite aggressive in a football sense and always looking for the solution and what can happen instead of worrying about what the problem is.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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