complain

verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān 

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

kəm-ˈplā-niŋ-lē 

adverb

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
• yaup
• yowl

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

He was put on probation for a year after failing to pay all of a client’s medical bills with settlement money as agreed and lying about it to his client, then offering to settle the rest of the bills as long as the client did not contact the State Bar to complain, a 2008 complaint alleges. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024

Spaniards have complained for years that, tourists drink excessively, litter, brawl and even run naked through the streets. —Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 16 July 2024

Usha's mother didn't complain about her father behind his back. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 16 July 2024

Argentina coach Scaloni complained about the condition of the temporary grass field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after Copa opener, and complaints continued from other coaches and players at other venues throughout the tournament. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing complain

• can't complain

Kids Definition

complain

verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān 

1

: to express grief, pain, or discontent : find fault

complaining about the weather

2

: to accuse someone of wrongdoing

complainer noun

complainingly

-ˈplā-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

complain

intransitive verb

com·​plain kəm-ˈplān 

: 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