1
as in lamentation
a crying out in grief
the day after the massacre the plaints of bereaved mothers and wives could be heard throughout the village
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complaint
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
that taxes are too high is perhaps the most perennial of plaints
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plaint
Like Emanuel and his comrades, Harper and his film go a meaningful way in asking and offering an answer to that plaint.
—
Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
But Barham plays the role both for plaints and for boasts.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Gay’s plaint is a variation of the good speakers are born belief.
—Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
And to be perfectly fair, the New Deal had seven or eight big years of operation (the plaints about the Supreme Court etc. blocking reforms being so many excuses).
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Goldberger's plaint is overstated.
—Michelle Goldberg, Star Tribune, 8 June 2021
Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
But Barham plays the role both for plaints and for boasts.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Gay’s plaint is a variation of the good speakers are born belief.
—Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
And to be perfectly fair, the New Deal had seven or eight big years of operation (the plaints about the Supreme Court etc. blocking reforms being so many excuses).
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Goldberger's plaint is overstated.
—Michelle Goldberg, Star Tribune, 8 June 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaint
Noun
-
These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The default ruling means that Rourke failed to take action to defend against the eviction complaint within the time allowed by law.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The complaint requested that the judge find the administration’s policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments and bar it from being implemented.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But their loud wail, which can be activated via a mobile app, can be heard about half a mile away.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Tokenizing someone is always an ugly thing — yet Rubio deserves no tears.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And so, there [were] some tears.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet a right to petition means little if grievances are acknowledged but not meaningfully addressed.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In Send Help, now in theaters, Linda (Rachel McAdams) and her overbearing boss Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) survive a plane crash and become stranded on a deserted island, where their past office grievances become a violent fight for survival.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Apparently hearing her mother’s cries, 11-year-old Duong came into the bedroom, the prosecutor added.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Grandma and grandpa may mean well, but some of their parenting styles are no longer recommended based on years of research—like ignoring your baby’s cries or forcing a school-age child clean their plate at dinner.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ravel imagined his Pavane not as a lament for a dead princess, but as a gentle dance for a little girl in a 16th century painting.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Leading a group of seasoned musicians that includes guitarist Adam Brisbin and harp player Mary Lattimore, and working once again with Krivchenia as his producer, Meek continues to revel in the role of traditional troubadour of mid-tempo laments with heavy gestures to Buffalo Springfield.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaint. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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