Carp — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈkärp/

Meaning & Definition of Carp

Carp (verb)

  1. to find fault or complain querulously

Carp (noun)

  1. complaint
  2. a large variable Eurasian soft-finned freshwater cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio) of sluggish waters that is often raised for food and has been widely introduced into U.S. waters; also, any of various related cyprinid fishes (such as the grass carp)
  3. a fish (such as the European sea bream) resembling a carp

Carp (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment

    "the usual carp about that restaurant is that the service is slow"

    similar: beef, bitch, bleat, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer
    related: challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle (chiefly British), objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink
    near: commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction

Carp (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

    "someone who carps and whines about everything is a pain"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder (chiefly British), moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

  2. to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant

    "carped about the order of names on the wedding invitations"

    similar: cavil, fuss, niggle, nitpick, quibble, split hairs
    related: criticize, fault, beef, bellyache, bitch, complain, crab, croak, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp, yowl, murmur, mutter
    near: applaud, commend, compliment, praise, recommend, approve, back, champion, endorse, support

Related Entry: Carp (at) (verb)

Carp (at) is a different word from Carp. The synonyms below are for carp (at), not for carp.

  1. as in nitpick, fuss (about or over)

    similar: fuss (about or over), nitpick, dog, henpeck, hound, nag, needle, peck (at), annoy, badger, bait, bother, bug, chivy, harass, harry, hassle, irk, pester, plague, ride, vex, yap (at), egg, goad, incite, prod, prompt, spur, urge, exhort, insist, press, pressure, push, blandish, cajole, coax, wheedle, beg, importune, plead
    opposite: compliment, commend, laud, praise, recommend, tout, acclaim, applaud, build up, eulogize, extol

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Carp

The most common words with a similar meaning to Carp:

British: whinge
Chiefly British: maunder
beef, bitch, bleat, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, bellyache, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, grizzle, growl, grump, inveigh, keen, kick, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squeal, yawp, yowl

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Carp

Words with the opposite meaning of Carp:

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Carp

challenge, demur, expostulation, objection, protest, remonstrance, stink, object (to), quarrel (with), fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, criticize, fault

Near Antonyms of Carp

commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend, recommend, approve, back, champion, endorse, support

Word Forms of Carp

Inflections: carped, carping, carps

Derived words: carper (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Carp

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic karpa to dispute

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Carp

carp-, -carp, Asian carp, bighead carp, black carp, crucian carp, grass carp

Frequently Asked Questions about Carp

What does "Carp" mean?

"Carp" means to find fault or complain querulously. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to find fault or complain querulously. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Carp"?

Other words for "Carp" include beef, bitch, bleat, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe and grouch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Carp" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Carp"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Carp". Common alternatives include beef, bitch, bleat, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse and grumble.

What is the opposite of "Carp"?

Antonyms of "Carp" include crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include commendation, compliment, plaudit and acclaim.

How do you use "Carp" in a sentence?

Examples of "Carp" in a sentence: "the usual carp about that restaurant is that the service is slow"; "someone who carps and whines about everything is a pain"; "carped about the order of names on the wedding invitations".

Is "Carp" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Carp" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Carp"?

"Carp" is pronounced /ˈkärp/.

What is the origin of the word "Carp"?

"Carp" comes from Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic karpa to dispute. First known use: 15th century.