as in to whine
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 complain
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 June 2025
The pilot, a 73-year-old Lee’s Summit man, complained of pain and was taken to an area hospital with a possible injury, officials said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
James Pearce, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
The relaxation of the angles of their wrist, the ability of them to open their chest and the distance between their scapulas, also like a lot of athletes come in complaining of upper back pain, neck pain, wrist pain, things like that, pressure on their hands.
—Josh Ross, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Verb
But whatever Powell says might well be overshadowed by Trump, who will no doubt complain this afternoon that Powell did not cut rates.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 June 2025
The pilot, a 73-year-old Lee’s Summit man, complained of pain and was taken to an area hospital with a possible injury, officials said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
Verb
For a start, just a week ago, no one was complaining about Alexander-Arnold’s contribution to the 5-0 rout of West Ham.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
The relaxation of the angles of their wrist, the ability of them to open their chest and the distance between their scapulas, also like a lot of athletes come in complaining of upper back pain, neck pain, wrist pain, things like that, pressure on their hands.
—Josh Ross, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share