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View synonyms for

complaint

[ kuhm-pleynt ]

noun

  1. an expression of discontent, regret, pain, censure, resentment, or grief; lament; faultfinding:

    his complaint about poor schools.

  2. a cause of discontent, pain, grief, lamentation, etc.
  3. a cause of bodily pain or ailment; malady:

    The doctor says I suffer from a rare complaint.

    Synonyms: , ,

  4. Law. the first pleading of the plaintiff in a civil action, stating the cause of action.


complaint

/ əˈɪԳ /

noun

  1. the act of complaining; an expression of grievance
  2. a cause for complaining; grievance
  3. a mild ailment
  4. English law a statement by which a civil proceeding in a magistrates' court is commenced
“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
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Other Word Forms

  • dzܲ·ٱ·dz·Գ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of complaint1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English compleynte, from Middle French complainte, from Latin com- com- + plancta plaint
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

McKillen alleged in the complaint that he and his company were strung along “under false representations” that they would be paid.

From

Wallace said that Feltz's complaint "knocked him for six", and also pushed back against Allsopp's comments about his language, saying: "I wouldn't have said that."

From

Robles said Castillo’s removal was not only unlawful but politically motivated, because she had filed a formal complaint with the city against three council members and the city manager.

From

The boy’s condition forced him to undergo dialysis for two weeks — including on his 10th birthday, the complaint said.

From

Lutnick and other Trump officials have not responded to specific Senate complaints or watchdog inquiries about the status of these divestments.

From

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More About Complaint

doescomplaint mean?

A complaint is a statement about something you’re unhappy or upset about. It has more specific meanings in legal and medical contexts.

Complaint is the noun form of the verb complain. In legal terms, a complaint is the document that officially initiates a legal proceeding. In medicine, it refers to a symptom or cause of pain as reported by a patient.

Example: I liked the movie, but my one complaint is that the women in the cast didn’t get enough screen time.

Where doescomplaint come from?

The first records of complaint come from the 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin planctus, meaning “the striking or beating of one’s breast in grief.” Planctus is equivalent to the Latin verb plang(ere), meaning “to strike” or “to mourn for.” (This sense of mourning is seen in the related word plaintive, which means “mournful” or “expressing sorrow.”)

When people complain, they are stating complaints. But complaints can be more serious than saying that you wish it weren’t raining. Sometimes, complaints are made (especially lodged or filed) in an official way, such as a complaint against a fellow employee, or a government whistle-blower complaint. In a legal context, complaints can be filed in both criminal and civil cases. In a criminal case, the complaint makes the charges official. In a civil case, the complaint is filed by the plaintiff (sometimes called the complainant). It initiates a lawsuit by providing general information about the nature of the claim and giving notice to the person or party that the lawsuit is being brought against. In medicine, complaint typically refers to the symptom that someone is seeking medical assistance for, as in The patient presented with a complaint of numbness in his left knee.

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms related to complaint?

  • complain (verb)
  • countercomplaint (noun)

are some synonyms for complaint?

are some words that share a root or word element with complaint?

are some words that often get used in discussing complaint?

How iscomplaint used in real life?

Complaint is very commonly used in a general way to refer to any expression of dissatisfaction. But it often indicates some degree of official status. In legal and medical contexts, it has a more specific meaning and is used in a more serious tone.

Try usingcomplaint!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of complaint?

  1. grievance
  2. accusation
  3. statement
  4. gripe

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complainantcomplaisance