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
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
For example, when Jehosheba complains that her Martha slacks off when her dad is out of town, Daisy infers that the Commander made a visit to the Colonies.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 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
Everyone complains about how expensive EVs are.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the Brighton captain, Pascal Gross, complains to referee Chris Kavanagh.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
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
For example, when Jehosheba complains that her Martha slacks off when her dad is out of town, Daisy infers that the Commander made a visit to the Colonies.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 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
Everyone complains about how expensive EVs are.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the Brighton captain, Pascal Gross, complains to referee Chris Kavanagh.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 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
-
Nothing screams influence quite like Victoria Beckham wearing her own designs to the Time100 Summit.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Officer Kyle McLaughlin, patrolling the Upper West Side on his steed Kelly, was alerted by a victim’s screams and immediately galloped into action.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 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
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
China holds Tibet without noticeable bother, commits crimes against its Uyghur Muslim minority with impunity, launches acts of aggression against its neighbors in the South China Sea, and growls off any court or tribunal that looks askance—which few do.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complains. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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