complaint
noun
com·plaint
kəm-ˈplānt 
1
: expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction
She did her chores without complaint.
2
a
: 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.
Synonyms
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
Two spa businesses in Baltimore told the Banner that Tucker had been banned immediately after complaints were lodged against him.
—
Doha Madani, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025
Last week, the nonprofit watchdog group the Housing Rights Initiative filed 176 complaints against Chicago landlords for discrimination in the largest housing case in Illinois history.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with her complaints and agreed that the government has a duty to protect a prisoner from violence and acknowledged the particular vulnerability of trans inmates.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
The ensuing neighbor complaints paired with consistent losses from the county agricultural department, which is tasked with ensuring the crop meets state and county requirements, led supervisors to approve a temporary ban on production in December.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for complaint 
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show current usage.
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Doha Madani, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025
Last week, the nonprofit watchdog group the Housing Rights Initiative filed 176 complaints against Chicago landlords for discrimination in the largest housing case in Illinois history.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with her complaints and agreed that the government has a duty to protect a prisoner from violence and acknowledged the particular vulnerability of trans inmates.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
The ensuing neighbor complaints paired with consistent losses from the county agricultural department, which is tasked with ensuring the crop meets state and county requirements, led supervisors to approve a temporary ban on production in December.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for complaint
Articles Related to complaint
Dictionary Entries Near complaint
Cite this Entry
“Complaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complaint. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
complaint
noun
com·plaint
kəm-ˈplānt
1
: expression of grief, pain, or resentment
2
a
: a cause or reason for complaining
the noise was her biggest complaint
b
: a pain or sickness in the body
3
: a charge of illegal wrongdoing against a person
Medical Definition
complaint
noun
com·plaint
kəm-ˈplānt
: a bodily ailment or disease
bloating and other digestive complaints—Christine Gorman
Christine GormanLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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