complain

com·plain

intransitive verb \kəm-ˈplān\

Definition of COMPLAIN

1

: to express grief, pain, or discontent <complaining about the weather>

2

: to make a formal accusation or charge

— com·plain·er noun

— com·plain·ing·ly \-ˈplā-niŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of COMPLAIN

1. He works hard but he never complains.
2. If you're unhappy with the service, you should complain to the manager.
3. The students complained that the test was too hard.
4. “These shoes are too tight,” he complained.

Origin of COMPLAIN

Middle English compleynen, from Anglo-French compleindre, from Vulgar Latin *complangere, from Latin com- + plangere to lament — more at plaint

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COMPLAIN

Synonyms

beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, 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 (or yaup), yowl, kick up a fuss

Antonyms

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words

object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms

accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commend

com·plain

intransitive verb \kəm-ˈplān\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of COMPLAIN

: to speak of one's illness or symptoms <the patient visited the office complaining of weight loss>