as in to scream
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in protesting
Related Words
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.
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Recent Examples of complain
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
As far back as two centuries ago, visitors to Russia complained about its people’s chronic mendacity, undiminished among its leadership today.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for complain
Verb
There are millions of things to complain about, Bill.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
As far back as two centuries ago, visitors to Russia complained about its people’s chronic mendacity, undiminished among its leadership today.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
protesting
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
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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