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
Those caught up in the collapse are furious, with some complaining that the issues have been compounded by poor communication and false hope from those running the production.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
On Wednesday, his attorney shared with reporters a 2020 email exchange in which Councilwoman Melissa Robinson complained that Lucas had picked Platt as his preferred candidate for the city manager’s job over a woman of color.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Others complained about only seeing Black performers and dancers onstage.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Appeals court rules Trump can implement anti-DEI executive orders for now
In address about vision for DOJ, Trump complains about prior probes
In:
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
January 6
Melissa Quinn
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
On Wednesday, his attorney shared with reporters a 2020 email exchange in which Councilwoman Melissa Robinson complained that Lucas had picked Platt as his preferred candidate for the city manager’s job over a woman of color.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Others complained about only seeing Black performers and dancers onstage.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Appeals court rules Trump can implement anti-DEI executive orders for now
In address about vision for DOJ, Trump complains about prior probes
In:
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
January 6
Melissa Quinn
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complain
Verb
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Now, De Niro plays him by imitating Pesci’s nasal, wiseguy whine and adopting the cagey posture of a lifelong predator.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Canines may growl, whine, snap, or attack another pet or person that is getting in the way between the two of you.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Every frequent flier has been there: the seat that doesn’t tilt back, the screaming kids, the sprint between terminals for the connecting flight, and relief at baggage claim that your luggage actually made it.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2025
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And of course, 102 acres on the Pacific Ocean just screams location, location, ad infinitum.—
David Weiss,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This was a departure from Mourinho and Conte, who both moaned about investment, attacked the club culture, exited unceremoniously, and bad-mouthed them afterward.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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At the time of its release, fancy people who considered themselves film aficionados moaned that Dumb and Dumber was the beginning of the end of civilization.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Still, Taylor says the economics will override the customer grumbling and that Amtrak probably won’t see a big bump in tickets.—
Kevin Williams,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
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There was much confusion and grumbling from viewers watching the Oscars on Hulu, as the streaming service cut off the ceremony before Anora was announced as Best Picture and Mikey Madison as Best Actress.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Does anyone dare mutter a single un-strategic comment about the food?—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
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Ally and Jay are both sarcastic, too — their best lines are muttered under their breaths — and their repartee becomes more interesting than the bloody theatrics.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Don't worry so much about what percentage of credit each contact point should receive.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Not worrying about getting dirty or anything like that.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complain. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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