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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complains
In addition, Alabama complains that the Times gave the school only four hours to respond to the story before it was published; this also coincided with the team getting ready to start the tournament.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Gimme Credit also complains that a run of acquisitions in both food and beverages have added $5 billion to PepsiCo’s debt in just the first half of 2025.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
The President reportedly watches hours of cable news every day, and frequently complains about coverage in real time.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
There has been a consistent pattern with Florida football where a group of Gators fans complains about the current head coach, sportswriters mock them for having unrealistic expectations, and then those fans turn out to be totally correct.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Roman complains about pain in his feet, and Dennis offers him a foot massage.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Next morning at breakfast Amby complains grandly of his soreness.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Another girl complains to confused Jesus that people are calling her Labubus knockoffs (formally known as Lafufus).
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
While helping Grace set up for the raffle, Jackie complains about her love life, prompting Grace to lash out at her.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Gimme Credit also complains that a run of acquisitions in both food and beverages have added $5 billion to PepsiCo’s debt in just the first half of 2025.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
The President reportedly watches hours of cable news every day, and frequently complains about coverage in real time.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
There has been a consistent pattern with Florida football where a group of Gators fans complains about the current head coach, sportswriters mock them for having unrealistic expectations, and then those fans turn out to be totally correct.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Roman complains about pain in his feet, and Dennis offers him a foot massage.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Next morning at breakfast Amby complains grandly of his soreness.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Another girl complains to confused Jesus that people are calling her Labubus knockoffs (formally known as Lafufus).
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
While helping Grace set up for the raffle, Jackie complains about her love life, prompting Grace to lash out at her.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complains
Verb
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Rising screams at Johnson on the sideline, delivering a stiff bro-hug with a smile.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Police said the officers encountered Billings prior to hearing screams at the park.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
-
And Paleo Dad grumbles but goes and picks up his spear.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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They are known to work in teams when hunting, and communicate with chirps, growls, whistles and body language.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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Go grab your passport, a wad of bail money, and enough thirst for wine that growls at history and food that tastes like the ocean punched you in the mouth.—
John Noakes,
Hartford Courant,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complains. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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