gripe
8 synonyms for gripe, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To complain, often persistently about something minor.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To complain, often persistently about something minor.
“He's always griping about the weather.”
How to use gripe
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a minor gripe
gripe about something
my only gripe
Etymology
From Old English grīpan ("to grasp"); the "complain" sense developed later, via an old meaning of griping stomach pains — a gripe was originally a pinching or cramping pain before it came to mean a nagging complaint.
Full origin of gripe →Frequently asked questions
What does “gripe” mean?
The word “gripe” means to complain, often persistently about something minor. In plain terms, a minor complaint, or the act of grumbling about something.
How do you pronounce “gripe”?
“Gripe” is pronounced gryp (/ɡɹaɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “gripe” in a sentence?
Here is “gripe” used in a sentence: “She griped to her friend about the long commute.”
What part of speech is “gripe”?
Depending on how it is used, “gripe” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “gripe” come from?
The word “gripe” comes from Old English. From Old English grīpan ("to grasp"); the "complain" sense developed later, via an old meaning of griping stomach pains — a gripe was originally a pinching or cramping pain before it came to mean a nagging complaint.
How many meanings does “gripe” have?
“Gripe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to complain, often persistently about something minor.
