as in to whine
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 complain
In speeches and online, the American New Right likes to complain about Europeans, and occasionally bully them.
—
Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
An eyewitness told authorities that Robertson began complaining about his order to a female employee at the drive-thru food pickup window and requested to speak with a manager several times, per the affidavit.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 25 May 2025
Later in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump defended his announcement, complaining about the E.U.’s business dealings and citing the U.S. goods trade deficit with the E.U., which was $235.6 billion in 2024, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 24 May 2025
Follow these mowing etiquette tips to avoid being the one that your neighbors are complaining about on Reddit.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
An eyewitness told authorities that Robertson began complaining about his order to a female employee at the drive-thru food pickup window and requested to speak with a manager several times, per the affidavit.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 25 May 2025
Later in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump defended his announcement, complaining about the E.U.’s business dealings and citing the U.S. goods trade deficit with the E.U., which was $235.6 billion in 2024, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 24 May 2025
Follow these mowing etiquette tips to avoid being the one that your neighbors are complaining about on Reddit.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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In a similar lawsuit launched in March against Trump’s reorganization of the Department of Education, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers whined that Trump’s plan could lead to block grants to the states, some even allowing the money to go for private school vouchers.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2025
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Many comments on that post feel McIlroy is whining, but that does not seem to be the case.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Heard screamed and dropped to the ground with the knife beside him.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
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Lyle approaches to finish them both, but Merritt screams from below, distracting Lyle just long enough for Akram to spring to action.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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The Rockies have been a zombie baseball club for five years now, moaning and trudging along the National League cellar, wandering the darkness, looking for brains to eat.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 May 2025
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But the Francophone descriptor fails to conjure the dust her voice kicks up, the grit and moan that hang in the air after each song.—
Carrie Brownstein,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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During the speech, for example, the president grumbled about how European nations have major celebrations about winning World War II when the U.S. does not.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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While a handful may grumble privately, Academy leadership maintains that the rule reflects a broader cultural shift within the organization — one toward accountability, fairness and honoring excellence in a truly informed way.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He is made, late in the show, to feign a seizure in a moment that doesn’t land, and the blocking of his final scene, in which the actor mutters to the ceiling while lying on his back, similarly thuds.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
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Victoria barely muttered a word to Kate, who approached the Ratliffs during a meal, making the exchange extra awkward.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One thing Salmon didn’t have to worry about before Monday’s game was having support.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
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In 1956, a survey of over 2,000 professors showed that 61% had been contacted by the FBI; 40% worried that students might misrepresent their politics; and about a quarter would not express their views for fear of the government.—
Time,
Time,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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