complained; complaining; complains
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
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
Some customers have complained on Reddit of being double-billed and then hit with a late fee.
—
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
Austin drivers could soon be ticketed for excessive engine noise as local officials attempt to address a problem that residents — particularly those in West Austin — have complained about for years.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
All the while, Trump stays focused on complaining about the Supreme Court's decision and finding new ways to impose global tariffs that will only further strain our economy and raise prices for Americans.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Putnam County Commissioner Joshua Alexander, who opposes the bill, told one Senate committee a constituent called to complain that his well has been pumping mud since the drawdown began.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
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Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
Austin drivers could soon be ticketed for excessive engine noise as local officials attempt to address a problem that residents — particularly those in West Austin — have complained about for years.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
All the while, Trump stays focused on complaining about the Supreme Court's decision and finding new ways to impose global tariffs that will only further strain our economy and raise prices for Americans.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Putnam County Commissioner Joshua Alexander, who opposes the bill, told one Senate committee a constituent called to complain that his well has been pumping mud since the drawdown began.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complain
Cite this Entry
“Complain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complain. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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