carp
verb (used without object)
to find fault or complain querulously or unreasonably; be niggling in criticizing; cavil.
carped
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past participleof carp.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof carp.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
carpverb (used without object)to find fault or complain querulously or unreasonably; be niggling in criticizing; cavil.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Senior executives carped about Chapek to Disney board members.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 20, 2026
“You’re no fun anymore,” carped a college buddy I’d once partied with.
From Salon ● Dec. 30, 2023
In The New Yorker, the influential and acerbic critic Pauline Kael carped that George Lucas was “in the toy business.”
From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2022
"I was told I'd have the exclusive," carped Dua Lipa.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2022
Petitot, that miserable crawler who had clogged his efforts for years, who had shared, without deserving, his honours, who had spied on him and carped at him day by day and hour by hour!
From The Long Night by Stanley John Weyman
