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
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
However, Baylor complains that Boston University not only hasn’t ceased use of an interlocking BU mark but has expanded the usage for T-shirts, shirts, mugs and other items.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
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
However, Baylor complains that Boston University not only hasn’t ceased use of an interlocking BU mark but has expanded the usage for T-shirts, shirts, mugs and other items.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complains
Verb
-
For Bear, the new arrangement is great about 99 percent of the time… the only drawback is that Nikki occasionally snaps back into her old self and screams in utter terror for a few seconds, before resuming the love-bombing.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing screams summer like corn on the cob, simply buttered and salted.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complains. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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