1
as in whines
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
a warning that if there were any more complaints, we were turning around and not going to the beach after all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objections
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
the condo development proceeded despite the complaints of the neighborhood residents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in indictments
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person
filed a complaint in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in illnesses
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
takes a slew of medicines for his many complaints
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 complaints
Under the new ordinance, the city would not be able to investigate claims of discrimination at all, instead referring residents who make complaints to other resources, or to applicable state and federal agencies.
—
Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Jorge Arreaza, a lawmaker and former minister of foreign affairs, went outside and allowed some families of political prisoners inside to hear their complaints.
—Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
When reached by The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry acknowledged the company is aware of some of the complaints.
—Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
It was based on complaints about the studies Moderna conducted to assess the vaccine, the company said, citing a letter signed by Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) director Vinay Prasad.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
Online complaints about his company repeatedly accuse it of running off with rents.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
The Air Max 95 joined late last summer and now boasts a total of three colorways including an Eric Koston collab, although complaints about quality have dulled the excitement.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
When reached by The News on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry acknowledged the company is aware of some of the complaints.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
After a public outcry over complaints of whitewashing, A’zion swiftly exited the movie.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Jorge Arreaza, a lawmaker and former minister of foreign affairs, went outside and allowed some families of political prisoners inside to hear their complaints.
—Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
When reached by The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry acknowledged the company is aware of some of the complaints.
—Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
It was based on complaints about the studies Moderna conducted to assess the vaccine, the company said, citing a letter signed by Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) director Vinay Prasad.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
Online complaints about his company repeatedly accuse it of running off with rents.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
The Air Max 95 joined late last summer and now boasts a total of three colorways including an Eric Koston collab, although complaints about quality have dulled the excitement.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
When reached by The News on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry acknowledged the company is aware of some of the complaints.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
After a public outcry over complaints of whitewashing, A’zion swiftly exited the movie.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaints
Noun
-
Loud objections left commissioners calling for order and taking a recess.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a high-speed rail proposal between Dallas and Fort Worth is stuck in limbo, stemming from objections to where a route would connect in Dallas, per KERA.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
She could also be grilled about her efforts to revive cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York's Democratic Attorney General Tish James after indictments against them were tossed.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors also tried and failed to obtain indictments against the other four Democrats, in addition to Kelly and Slotkin.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the launch of a mass drug administration program has allowed the country to treat around 100 million people for NTDs annually since 2019, The END Fund found, with the disease burden for some illnesses reducing by as much as 72%.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Now, those vaccines, which researchers estimate have prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are recommended by the CDC only for children at high risk of serious illness or after consultation between doctors and parents.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The country felt unified in its grievances against the regime.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The courts have granted exceptions to search without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Because the government has halted refugee programs, with a few exceptions, IRIS has no new refugees – people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution – to help settle.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Authorities have charged Banda with terrorism, arson and possession of child pornography, among other counts.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Officers then transported him to the Joliet Police Department, where he was processed on six counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In recent weeks, Doncic has grappled with ankle and groin ailments as well; the wear-and-tear of the season emerging just before the All-Star break.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The spice's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help support a range of ailments and conditions.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complaints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaints. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
