complaint

noun

com·plaint | \ kəm-ˈplānt

Definition of complaint

1 : expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction She did her chores without complaint.

2a : something that is the cause or subject of protest or outcry Inefficiency was the main complaint against the local government.

b : a bodily ailment or disease The patient's complaint was frequent headaches.

3 : a formal allegation against a party The complaint alleges sexual harassment.

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Examples of complaint in a Sentence

The board has received a number of complaints about the new policy. The company has a system to handle customer complaints. The lack of parking spaces is a common complaint among the city's residents. The lack of financial support is our biggest complaint. He is being treated for a stomach complaint. Shortness of breath was a common complaint among the patients.

Recent Examples on the Web The complaint alleged Mellon benefited unjustly from the scheme. — Matthew Barakat, Star Tribune, "Tech company founder gets 8 years in prison for stock fraud," 26 Mar. 2021 The appellate court reversed that portion of the trial court’s decision, finding that the trial court should have dismissed the complaint in its entirety. — Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, "Strictly Legal: Sexual assault victim survives libel suit," 25 Mar. 2021 City Attorney Mara Elliott says the Gordon complaint should be rejected because the city filed its own case against the building’s landlord — even though that suit does not demand the agreement be canceled or that money be returned. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego taxpayer lawsuit over Ash Street lease scheduled for Friday hearing," 25 Mar. 2021 Beverly Hills esthetician and eyelash stylist Gina Bisignano was so present on social media that the federal criminal complaint against her practically wrote itself. — Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times, "‘Uncharted waters.’ Judges are banning some Capitol riot suspects from the internet," 25 Mar. 2021 In other words, any common complaint could be a sign of burnout. — Jonathan Malesic, The New Republic, "The Exaggeration of “Burnout” in America," 25 Mar. 2021 Beverly Hills esthetician and eyelash stylist Gina Bisignano was so present on social media that the federal criminal complaint against her practically wrote itself. — Author: Evan Halper, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Uncharted waters’: Judges are banning some Capitol riot suspects from the internet," 25 Mar. 2021 Although many food services are restricted to carryout, deliveries and outdoor dining or limitations on indoor seating, complaint inspections will continue during the coronavirus crisis. — Washington Post, "Health code violations in the District, Maryland and Virginia," 24 Mar. 2021 With over 24,000 Amazon reviews and counting, this silk pillowcase has shoppers trading in more expensive 22-momme silk pillowcases with little complaint. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, "The Best Silk Pillowcases of 2021 for Fighting Frizz and Fine Lines While You Snooze," 24 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complaint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

29 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Complaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complaint. Accessed 6 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for complaint

complaint

noun

English Language Learners Definition of complaint

: a statement that you are unhappy or not satisfied with something

: the act of saying or writing that you are unhappy or dissatisfied with something

: something to be unhappy about : something that people complain about

See the full definition for complaint in the English Language Learners Dictionary

complaint

noun

com·plaint | \ kəm-ˈplānt

Kids Definition of complaint

1 : expression of grief, pain, or discontent He does his work without complaint.

2 : a cause or reason for expressing grief, pain, or discontent The noise is my biggest complaint.

3 : a sickness or disease of the body a stomach complaint

4 : a charge of wrongdoing against a person What's her complaint against me?

complaint

noun

com·plaint | \ kəm-ˈplānt

Medical Definition of complaint

: a bodily ailment or disease bloating and other digestive complaints— Christine Gorman

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complaint

noun

com·plaint

Legal Definition of complaint

1 : the initial pleading that starts a lawsuit and that sets forth the allegations made by the plaintiff against the defendant and the plaintiff's demand for relief — see also prayer, process, well-pleaded complaint rule — compare answer

2 : a document sworn to by a victim or police officer that sets forth a criminal violation and that serves as the charging instrument by which charges are filed and judicial proceedings commenced against a defendant in a magistrate's court — compare declaration, indictment, information

3 : petition

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