as in whines
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the time-honored tradition of new recruits complaining about the food in the mess hall
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Recent Examples of complains
Never says a word, never complains about it, right?
—
Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 May 2026
Nobody visiting a nuclear facility complains about the onerous security features.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Lauersdorf is always willing to answer constituent concerns, and never complains, said Heritage Homeowners’ Association vice president Jennifer Samuels in a Facebook post promoting the fundraising effort.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
The narrator in Pseudo-Quintilian’s fiction complains of the unfairness of the bout.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Her narcissistic friends constantly change the subject back to their petty arguments whenever Anne complains about her circumstances.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Out of innumerable likely topics, Maher complains about folks who defend cats.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 May 2026
Nobody visiting a nuclear facility complains about the onerous security features.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Lauersdorf is always willing to answer constituent concerns, and never complains, said Heritage Homeowners’ Association vice president Jennifer Samuels in a Facebook post promoting the fundraising effort.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
The narrator in Pseudo-Quintilian’s fiction complains of the unfairness of the bout.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Her narcissistic friends constantly change the subject back to their petty arguments whenever Anne complains about her circumstances.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Out of innumerable likely topics, Maher complains about folks who defend cats.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complains
Verb
-
The caterer’s dead daughter, Marketa, is sung by Vilma Jää, an ethno-pop performer whose forays into Finnish folk techniques have her slinging her voice up into thrillingly high engine-whines.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With Chapman, the issue screams at you louder than the thumping, center field speakers in Chavez Ravine.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
One morning in 2013, before the sun had risen, Hiba and Ibrahim heard gunshots and screams.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
All crowdfunding projects have an element of risk, but backers of the startup's first Kickstarter for an all-in-one smart telescope seem satisfied with their all-in-one smart telescope - shipping grumbles aside.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Your 12th House of Inner Worlds hums as the Moon grumbles at combative Mars in your philosophical 9th house, making private worries flare when big debates start circling.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Griffith growls Griffith could be in position to win its first Greater South Shore Conference title since 2018.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complains. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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