as in protesting
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
Doja Cat is most likely referring to voice notes, or the audio post feature, which seemed to be discontinued on X sometime in early 2025, according to user posts complaining that the feature had been removed.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 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
Next to complaints about the DMV, complaining about your cable company was almost an American pastime.
—Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Hegseth had some choice words for Europe, complaining that allies in the region hadn’t pulled their weight.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 May 2026
Destefani said that detainees were still complaining about being served expired or nearly expired food and that, as a result, did not want to eat.
—Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 29 May 2026
The East African man was driven to the hospital right away after complaining of an eye problem.
—ABC News, 28 May 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 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
Doja Cat is most likely referring to voice notes, or the audio post feature, which seemed to be discontinued on X sometime in early 2025, according to user posts complaining that the feature had been removed.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 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
Next to complaints about the DMV, complaining about your cable company was almost an American pastime.
—Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Hegseth had some choice words for Europe, complaining that allies in the region hadn’t pulled their weight.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 May 2026
Destefani said that detainees were still complaining about being served expired or nearly expired food and that, as a result, did not want to eat.
—Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 29 May 2026
The East African man was driven to the hospital right away after complaining of an eye problem.
—ABC News, 28 May 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
-
Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The driver is seen singing happily to himself, then glancing out his window with a slight look of concern as the sound of the jet’s whining engines begins on the recording.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
As if each of us isn’t a walking embodiment of our moment, clueless and attuned at once, screaming about one thing and in total denial about another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
There were the arrests of tearful and screaming immigrants, captured on video and played on endless loops across social media.—
Moriah Balingit,
Los Angeles Times,
9 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
-
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
-
Reddit commenters are grumbling about the no-bag policy, though many seem to accept it as the price of a global festival in 2026.—
Steven Blum,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
But if your concerned friend starts worrying about AI data centers literally causing a worldwide water catastrophe, the actual numbers involved should hopefully put those worries to rest.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
-
The Hornets can outbid any other team in total dollars, length and yearly bumps without worrying about the cap number.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
