complained

Definition of complainednext
past tense 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 complained But Republicans have long complained that Democrats have used the law to get winnable districts for their Black voters in red states that Republican-leaning white voters could never receive in blue states. Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 This poll also marks the fifth straight year Americans complained things are getting worse, not better. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 Most who spoke complained about how the district has not shared a plan on how students who require ELL instruction will continue to do so after staff cuts. Samuel O’Neal April 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026 The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, which has complained about state aid for decades, was very happy about the latest development. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026 The to-go containers the diners complained about were a one-piece black clamshell container. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026 After his Sunday start against Colorado, Senga complained of lower back pain and was sent for imaging. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Donors, especially, complained a lot. Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026 Wilson maintains that MacInnes complained to her about Ghost’s conduct. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complained
Verb
  • None of them screamed commercial hit.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Video from witnesses posted on social media showed rapid gunfire for at least 45 seconds as people screamed and ran for cover.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Never whined, even as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play deteriorated last season.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.
    Lauren Caruba, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Back then, purists grumbled that the modern reinterpretation of the British classic departed from the rough and tumble identity of Defenders past.
    John Scott Lewinski, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Aura grumbled along with her classmates.
    Ava Berger, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Concern increased nationwide, with animal rights activists worried the wolf would be injured in the wild or perhaps killed during his rescue.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
  • However, investors are worried fewer patients will seek care as Affordable Care Act subsidies phase out, or uncompensated care costs will rise.
    Christina Cheddar Berk,Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The wereboar growled next to Black Pudding, a hulking vicious monster, both focused on ripping Puck and Cordelia to shreds.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.
    Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complained. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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