Synonyms of complaining

complaining 1 of 2

adjective

as in protesting

Related Words

• protesting
• grumbling
• griping
• kvetching
• whining
• fussing
• squawking
• unforgiving
• uncompromising
• impatient
• intolerant
• unyielding

Dissimilar Words

• patient
• enduring
• abiding
• tolerant
• accepting
• willing
• forgiving
• forbearing
• resigned
• uncomplaining
• long-suffering
• indulgent

complaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of complain

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

• whining
• screaming
• moaning
• muttering
• grumbling
• bitching
• worrying
• whimpering
• griping
• crying
• growling
• squealing
• kicking
• grousing
• murmuring
• nagging
• squawking
• yammering
• hollering
• carping
• whinging
• wailing
• bellyaching
• protesting
• beefing
• repining
• bleating
• grouching
• inveighing
• kvetching
• fussing
• yowling
• grumping
• keening
• grizzling
• crabbing
• caterwauling
• croaking
• yawping
• kicking up a fuss
• sobbing
• maundering
• quarreling (with)
• quibbling
• objecting (to)
• lamenting
• fretting
• bemoaning
• bewailing
• stewing
• blubbering
• deploring
• caviling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• delighting
• accepting
• taking
• tolerating
• enduring
• crowing
• bearing
• cheering
• applauding
• commending
• countenancing

Example Sentences

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

Videos on social media published last week showed empty markets in Tehran and Karaj, with sellers complaining that their fresh produce is not being bought. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

The same folks who are complaining about the current mess in college athletics are the same ones who are inviting the chaos through their front door. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Just about the only constituency that’s not complaining about the new Ashe are those sitting courtside and in the VIP suites, which have all sold out, according to the USTA. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026

Previously, prosecutors claimed Rinderknecht had a vendetta against wealthy people, and used testimony from Rinderknecht’s Uber passengers who allegedly witnessed him complaining about aspects of his life. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Last year, amid a blizzard of hirings and sackings at the upper level of the major houses, a group of top designers maintained a WhatsApp group chat dedicated to complaining about Sherman’s coverage of their fates. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

Many people have been complaining about the noise and smell near Ocean City's downtown beaches this summer during the replenishment project. — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Anti-carriage people spent a lot of time at the hearing complaining about the stables. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

That Sean Payton won by 20 on the road and still spent a good chunk of his postgame presser either complaining, yammering about Jack Lemmon, or both, is a heck of a good sign. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026