complain

verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān How to pronounce complain (audio)
complained; complaining; complains

intransitive verb

1
: to express grief, pain, or discontent
complaining about the weather
2
: to make a formal accusation or charge
He threatened to complain of him to the captain.
complainer noun
complainingly adverb

Examples of complain in a Sentence

He works hard but he never complains. If you're unhappy with the service, you should complain to the manager. The students complained that the test was too hard. “These shoes are too tight,” he complained.
Recent Examples on the Web During a 1997 exhibition series in South Korea, Suzuki complained of the country smelling like garlic. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Drag Race fans often complain that she was robbed of the crown during her appearance on the show’s All Stars spinoff. Ben Shimkus, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 Aubrey never complains, and will admonish those that may. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 In one report to Golos, a state employee in Chechnya, in southern Russia, complained that he and others were bused from one polling station to another to vote multiple times. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 The most recent mess was cleaned up this week after people complained to the city and posted about the new graffiti on social media. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 In fact, complaining about things like Soho House has long been a part of Portland’s identity, Mr. Bowlan said. Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Do not approach your daughter to complain about her man. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Neighbors complained about uncollected trash blowing into nearby pastures and endangering cattle, said Sgt. Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near complain

Cite this Entry

“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complain. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

complain

verb
com·​plain kəm-ˈplān How to pronounce complain (audio)
1
: to express grief, pain, or discontent : find fault
complaining about the weather
2
: to accuse someone of wrongdoing
complainer noun
complainingly adverb

Medical Definition

complain

intransitive verb
com·​plain kəm-ˈplān How to pronounce complain (audio)
: to speak of one's illness or symptoms
the patient visited the office complaining of weight loss

Legal Definition

complain

intransitive verb
com·​plain
: to make a complaint

More from Merriam-Webster on complain

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