complain
verb (used without object)
to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault.
were 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.
"I was speaking to at least a hundred followers every day, and most of them were complaining about the paper leak. There was this core frustration around it," he said.
From BBC β Sep. 11, 2026
By his fourth season, the team had a losing record and players were complaining that Bradley was too exacting.
From Los Angeles Times β Dec. 17, 2024
Her two sons joined the army after the Russians were forced out, and were complaining they were short of weapons, she said.
From New York Times β May 10, 2024
Wamp also said Family insiders were complaining about “the new group.”
From Salon β Feb. 1, 2024
Teachers were complaining that their students could focus on nothing else.
From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman
