Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a complaining manner; with expression of dissatisfaction.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a complaining manner; peevishly.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb with complaints

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

complaining +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • Other birds high overhead called complainingly as their sleep was disturbed, and bats flitted like bits of the darkness itself in and out of the shafts of moonlight, chasing the moths drawn to dance there.

    Owlflight Lackey, Mercedes 1997

  • The eyes, weasel-like and cruel, were looking at him complainingly.

    Chapter 3 2010

  • The strong submit to it humbly, the weak rebel against it complainingly, and the base are dully amazed when the monstrous occurs, or go mad and commit crimes. '

    Adalbert Stifter 2007

  • The strong submit to it humbly, the weak rebel against it complainingly, and the base are dully amazed when the monstrous occurs, or go mad and commit crimes. '

    44 entries from December 2007 2007

  • The strong submit to it humbly, the weak rebel against it complainingly, and the base are dully amazed when the monstrous occurs, or go mad and commit crimes. '

    Adalbert Stifter 2007

  • After a considerable pause, he added, complainingly, ‘Boz keeps himself very close;’ which was true enough, for I was not very well, and was lying down, with a book.

    American Notes for General Circulation 2007

  • “You Northern men have nothing but physical courage,” she said complainingly; “you have no constancy in your opinions.”

    The Imaginary Mistress 2007

  • “You Northern men have nothing but physical courage,” she said complainingly; “you have no constancy in your opinions.”

    The Imaginary Mistress 2007

  • Mention has been already made more than once, of a certain Dragon who swung and creaked complainingly before the village alehouse door.

    The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit 2006

  • Jolted from her brief nap, Pip rose complainingly into the air as she was forced from her perch on his shoulder.

    Running from the Deity Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 2005

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