complaining 1 of 2

complaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of complain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complaining
Adjective
An energy vampire has bad body language, the complaining look on their face, the vocal complainer. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
But John Healey stepped down as defense secretary this month after complaining that Starmer was not moving fast enough to meet the target. ABC News, 27 June 2026 Still, some users are complaining online. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 This has fueled debate over their impact on the game, with some viewers complaining about being exposed to commercials during the three-minute stoppages. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026 These past few months in the Treasure Valley have been rife with local governments complaining about the position the Idaho Legislature has put them in. Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2026 Women were complaining of redness, flakiness, or peeling with the use of tretinoin, a retinoid that promotes collagen synthesis and elastin renewal. Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 23 June 2026 The two traced the story of the show back to their first meeting in 2011, realized on screen at the presentation with a tongue-in-cheek comic panel featuring Wong complaining about their lunch. Kambole Campbell, Variety, 23 June 2026 Rates are up across America in all electricity markets, regardless of design, and consumers are complaining. Ed Hirs, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 At one practice during the fall of 2024, Washington’s assistant athletic director of football academics Diamond Brown was standing on the sideline when Jonah bounded up to her in full pads and begun complaining about his grade in a music class. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaining
Adjective
  • The death toll includes at least 19 children, 21 non-protesting civilians, and 165 in government or security forces.
    The Hill, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Among the dead were 13 children and 14 non-protesting civilians, HRANA said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Stop whining and complaining, people.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
  • Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • As Rayan began screaming, al-Ajeen, whose family has long farmed in the area, picked up his son and began walking again.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The process left Carruthers bleeding and moaning on May 21, according to the witness, Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 May 2026
  • The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.
    Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Add in concerns about heat, commercialization—my son is among those grumbling about water breaks during games, even when temperatures are mild—and the sheer size of the tournament, and there appears to be no shortage of reasons to complain.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • Fan and player discontent (as suggested by so many squad members apparently endorsing Salah’s recent social-media post grumbling about the team’s style of play), coupled with a failure to achieve the bare-minimum requirement this season, would surely make Slot’s position untenable.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • This common form of anxiety arises when dogs are left alone for an amount of time, often worrying that they will permanently be left behind.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Taken together, the actions signal a worrying return to a reality where people with disabilities are pushed to the margins of society, advocates said.
    Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaining. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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