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, 5 Apr. 2026
Late last year, a group of advocates successfully pushed the city to expand an off-leash area for dogs at MacArthur Park after complaining that the city lacked adequate space for animals to roam.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Rather than complaining, encourage him to consider going on a date with you or watching a movie together.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
On Saturday, Moore said her son was still complaining of pain to his back.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
On Sunday morning, Haidar Abdul-Samad, deputy director of Basra’s Shalamcha border crossing with Iran, was on the phone with an Iranian official, complaining about electricity cuts that had halted trade, urging a quick resolution.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
In this case, Paris Jackson is complaining that the compensation paid to executors of her father’s estate has been excessive.
—Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Some Toyota fans reacted poorly to the announcement, complaining about the loss of the hybrid version of the Highlander that Toyota has marketed since 2005.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Downtown residents have been complaining to the city commission that the traffic and noise are unbearable and want the volume turned down.
—Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 27 Mar. 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
As of today, however, not everyone is complaining.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Late last year, a group of advocates successfully pushed the city to expand an off-leash area for dogs at MacArthur Park after complaining that the city lacked adequate space for animals to roam.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Rather than complaining, encourage him to consider going on a date with you or watching a movie together.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
On Saturday, Moore said her son was still complaining of pain to his back.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
On Sunday morning, Haidar Abdul-Samad, deputy director of Basra’s Shalamcha border crossing with Iran, was on the phone with an Iranian official, complaining about electricity cuts that had halted trade, urging a quick resolution.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
In this case, Paris Jackson is complaining that the compensation paid to executors of her father’s estate has been excessive.
—Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Some Toyota fans reacted poorly to the announcement, complaining about the loss of the hybrid version of the Highlander that Toyota has marketed since 2005.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Downtown residents have been complaining to the city commission that the traffic and noise are unbearable and want the volume turned down.
—Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 27 Mar. 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
-
Or get ready for a lot of groaning and whining.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
-
With LeBron James buying into a supporting actor role, the Lakers are a legitimate threat because Doncic is more focused on scoring buckets than whining to officials.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities say Valdez had multiple untreated mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, and that he had been seen in Concord earlier in the day screaming at cars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Williams was celebrating an offensive foul called against Doncic by gleefully screaming in Doncic's personal space.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 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
-
Past albums like Lyfë and 2093 were best experienced as hourslong excursions into illegible rage-rap experiences that washed over the listener, with Yeat’s voice muttering his harmonies amid glitchy laptop bangers.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
King asked James, who had been grumbling.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That was four coaches ago, and Gates seems attuned to some grumbling about how this one is faring.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That's where Somali businesses struggled due to customers worrying that ICE might arrest them while shopping.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Colleagues had been worrying about Metayer Bowen all day long.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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