as in whined
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 complained
Rookies fell out with their bosses all the time, who, in turn, complained about the impossibility of getting good help these days.
—
Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Trump has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Last week Tagovailoa complained about having personnel and operations issues that were caused by injuries in the game to tight end Darren Waller, and slot receiver Malik Washington.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Shareholders have complained about the speed of progress and welcome the strategy shift in the same breath, all the while demanding the business grows what’s left of the overnight audience share.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The news comes as numerous top players have complained about the length of the season and the demanding nature of the schedule.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The administration says this will eliminate the need for external tents during state events, something the president has complained about in the past.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The teammate was rebooked in business class and Lozano complained robustly about being in economy.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Her initial lawsuit included how Cole allegedly complained about Merrill making a remark to her.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Trump has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Last week Tagovailoa complained about having personnel and operations issues that were caused by injuries in the game to tight end Darren Waller, and slot receiver Malik Washington.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Shareholders have complained about the speed of progress and welcome the strategy shift in the same breath, all the while demanding the business grows what’s left of the overnight audience share.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The news comes as numerous top players have complained about the length of the season and the demanding nature of the schedule.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The administration says this will eliminate the need for external tents during state events, something the president has complained about in the past.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The teammate was rebooked in business class and Lozano complained robustly about being in economy.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Her initial lawsuit included how Cole allegedly complained about Merrill making a remark to her.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
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Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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Sundae screamed, and the whole motel heard her.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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From the other room, the victim moaned.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
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Yankees fans have moaned and groaned about Aaron Boone’s deployment of Williams in crucial situations this season, and it’s only exacerbated now that every game counts in the postseason race.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Although full disclosure, those two words were muttered in the press box Sunday after Nix had thrown two unsightly picks through the first three quarters of the Broncos’ win over Tennessee.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Once the launchpad for Oscar juggernauts from Slumdog Millionaire to La La Land, TIFF has in recent years watched rivals Venice and Telluride siphon away its prestige premieres, while buyers grumbled about thinner slates and softer deal flow.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
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His son hugged him, and Frazier grumbled with his team about what might have been.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Michigan, where nearly 13% of households receive SNAP benefits, news of the pause had families, from Detroit to Interlochen, preparing to go to food pantries and worried about what's to come.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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However, reports about how the university has controlled the use of that money has worried some alumni.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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