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
Trump cut off trade talks with the northern neighbor on June 27, complaining about Canada’s triple-digit tariffs on dairy products.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Three days prior, 86-year-old Stevens had complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 11 July 2025
Some downtown residents have complained about advertisements that wrap apartment buildings, hotels and more — but the trolley wraps don’t seem to get the same complaints.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Generally, supporters aren’t that sympathetic to players at the highest level complaining about the idea that they’re being made to play too much football (as some of the replies to Kounde’s post on social media illustrated), largely because of their wages.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Three days prior, 86-year-old Stevens had complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 11 July 2025
Some downtown residents have complained about advertisements that wrap apartment buildings, hotels and more — but the trolley wraps don’t seem to get the same complaints.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Generally, supporters aren’t that sympathetic to players at the highest level complaining about the idea that they’re being made to play too much football (as some of the replies to Kounde’s post on social media illustrated), largely because of their wages.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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Coaches and athletic directors continue to whine about the lack of regulation and the uneven playing field.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
18 July 2025
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Back at the house, the dog whines at the garage door.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Footage from onboard captures passengers, including children, screaming in fear as the cabin shakes and lightning flashes surround them.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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Elderly residents rushed to their windows to scream and beg for help as smoke filled the hallways.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Now-tired 2010 fads that Lorde pioneered, including bittersweet tropical-pop textures and moaning vocal snippets, are everywhere.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
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After one season, he was forcefully rejected by the community, which moaned to the press (and the local police) that the tranquil pondside inn was becoming a celebrity- and influencer-infested late-night party spot just like his club in the city.—
Brock Colyar,
Curbed,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The neighbors won’t appreciate the grumbling exhaust, though the engine doesn’t rev particularly high for a V12, given the 6,000-rpm redline.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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The bikes grumble and occasionally break down, as do the 50-somethings, which is reassuring to us ordinary folk who get to see the glory of all without having to straddle a motorcycle for two months.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Before immediately snapping, sighing loudly, or muttering a passive-aggressive comment, try pausing to consider what else might be going on first: Maybe your barista’s slammed with 10 other complicated orders, for instance, or your housemate had a brutal week at work.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
17 June 2025
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McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Consider buying bottles with pumps so guests don't have to worry about unscrewing lids and pouring the syrups in their drinks.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
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Buying back-to-school supplies can be challenging for families, so organizations and companies across Phoenix are hosting backpack and school supply giveaways to ensure that no student has to worry about being ready for the school year.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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