as in to scream
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
There are millions of things to complain about, Bill.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
As far back as two centuries ago, visitors to Russia complained about its people’s chronic mendacity, undiminished among its leadership today.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Late last year, a group of advocates successfully pushed the city to expand an off-leash area for dogs at MacArthur Park after complaining that the city lacked adequate space for animals to roam.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
For years, suburban cities have complained that their penny sales tax contribution to DART has cut into their plans to attract sports teams and corporate entities.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
As far back as two centuries ago, visitors to Russia complained about its people’s chronic mendacity, undiminished among its leadership today.
—Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Late last year, a group of advocates successfully pushed the city to expand an off-leash area for dogs at MacArthur Park after complaining that the city lacked adequate space for animals to roam.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
For years, suburban cities have complained that their penny sales tax contribution to DART has cut into their plans to attract sports teams and corporate entities.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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For families This hotel doesn’t scream family-friendly and there’s no kids’ menu in the restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Martens plans to scream, if not louder, than with more originality.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or get ready for a lot of groaning and whining.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
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With LeBron James buying into a supporting actor role, the Lakers are a legitimate threat because Doncic is more focused on scoring buckets than whining to officials.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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King asked James, who had been grumbling.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The proud bronze lions outside the Art Institute are getting very annoyed and starting to grumble.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Past albums like Lyfë and 2093 were best experienced as hourslong excursions into illegible rage-rap experiences that washed over the listener, with Yeat’s voice muttering his harmonies amid glitchy laptop bangers.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
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In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hernandez said he was encouraged by recent meetings with Republican members of Congress from his home state, Florida, but worries other priorities will drown out the bill, as has happened in the past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Ajmera said her neighbors worry the center could impact their water bills or introduce loud humming noises to the largely residential area.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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