Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

complain

[ kuhm-pleyn ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault:

    He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.

    Antonyms:

  2. to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.:

    to complain of a backache.

  3. to make a formal accusation:

    If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police.



complain

/ əˈɪ /

verb

  1. to express resentment, displeasure, etc, esp habitually; grumble
  2. foll by of to state the presence of pain, illness, etc, esp in the hope of sympathy

    she complained of a headache

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • dzˈԾԲ, adverb
  • dzˈԱ, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • dz·a· adjective
  • dz·İ noun
  • dz·iԲ· adverb
  • ܲcdz·Ա adjective
  • ܲcdz·iԲ adjective
  • undz·iԲ· adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of complain1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English compleinen, from Anglo-French compleign-, stem of compleindre, Old French complaindre, from Vulgar Latin complangere (unrecorded), from Latin com- com- + plangere “to beat, lament, strike”; plaint
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of complain1

C14: from Old French complaindre, from Vulgar Latin complangere (unattested), from Latin com- (intensive) + plangere to bewail
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

see can't complain .
Discover More

Synonym Study

Complain, grumble, growl, whine are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. To complain is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To grumble is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. Growl may express more anger than grumble : to growl in reply to a question. To whine is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The demand comes as the State Bar petitions the court to adjust test scores for hundreds of prospective California lawyers who complained of multiple technical problems and irregularities during the February exams.

From

Shortly after Cusack's death, her family complained about "processes and conduct" at Sheffield United, including the conduct of former women's team manager Jonathan Morgan.

From

On the other side, privacy campaigners complain the new rules threaten users' freedom.

From

Marten had been due to start giving evidence on Tuesday but complained of a toothache and headache.

From

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on Wednesday that the government planned to review the customs treatment of low-value products entering the UK, after retailers complained they were being undercut by overseas rivals.

From

Advertisement

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


complacentlycomplainant