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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complains
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
Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The Post complains because so many kids are switching to private alternative schools, many of the failing public schools in Phoenix will have to shut down.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
That kid never complains about anything.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
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
Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The Post complains because so many kids are switching to private alternative schools, many of the failing public schools in Phoenix will have to shut down.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
That kid never complains about anything.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complains
Verb
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Rather than let his boy be torn apart by terrible creatures in the mist, David uses a gun to mercy-kill them all and screams in anguish because there isn't a bullet left for him.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Mom screams like a rabid animal.—
Dr. Sue Varma,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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 16 Sep. 2025.
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