complain
verb (used without object)
to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault.
was complaining
-
past progressiveof complain.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
He was complaining about how he was being prohibited from adding another story onto his place.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
Guardiola, who argued with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on the touchline during the penalty controversy, said: "I was complaining, why it was no penalty. And I was right."
From Barron's ● Jan. 7, 2026
I was complaining a little too much and suddenly she just said, “Why don’t you make your own? You’re a chemical engineer, you’ve played a Russian a couple of times.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 17, 2025
Early in 1944, the prime minister was complaining to his ministers about Britain's inability to produce it at scale.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2025
Somebody was complaining about the heat: “ . . . feel my arm, steamed soft clear to the bone.”
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
