complaint

/kəmˈpleɪnt/
/kəmˈpleɪnt/
IPA guide

Other forms: complaints

A complaint is an objection to something that is unfair, unacceptable, or otherwise not up to normal standards. If your neighbors have a complaint about noise, they want you to be more quiet.

A complaint is voiced objection to something, like a complaint about cold or disgusting-tasting food in a restaurant. Complaint is also a legal term — the plaintiff's reasons for bringing a civil action. Medically speaking, a complaint is a disorder or disease that is hard to cure completely. Loud cries of pain, anger, or sadness can also be called complaints.

Definitions of complaint
  1. noun
    an expression of grievance or resentment
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    types:
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    grievance
    a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action
    grumble, grumbling, murmur, murmuring, mutter, muttering
    a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
    jeremiad
    a long and mournful complaint
    kvetch
    (Yiddish) a nagging complaint
    pet peeve
    an opportunity for complaint that is seldom missed
    whimper, whine
    a complaint uttered in a plaintive whining way
    type of:
    objection
    the speech act of objecting
  2. noun
    (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow
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    exclamation
    a loud complaint or protest or reproach
    lament, lamentation, plaint, wail
    a cry of sorrow and grief
    type of:
    cry, yell
    a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)
  3. noun
    an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
    synonyms: ailment, ill
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    pip
    a minor nonspecific ailment
    kinetosis, motion sickness
    the state of being dizzy or nauseated because of the motions that occur while traveling in or on a moving vehicle
    air sickness, airsickness
    motion sickness experienced while traveling by air (especially during turbulence)
    car sickness
    motion sickness experienced while traveling in a car
    mal de mer, naupathia, seasickness
    motion sickness experienced while traveling on water
    type of:
    disorder, upset
    a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
  4. noun
    (criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense
    synonyms: charge
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    accusal, accusation
    a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
    self-accusation, self-condemnation
    an admission that you have failed to do or be something you know you should do or be
    recrimination
    mutual accusations
    allegation
    (law) a formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law)
    blame game
    accusations exchanged among people who refuse to accept sole responsibility for some undesirable event
    imprecation
    a slanderous accusation
    imputation
    a statement attributing something dishonest (especially a criminal offense)
    indictment
    an accusation of wrongdoing
    information
    formal accusation of a crime
    preferment
    the act of making accusations
    blame, incrimination, inculpation
    an accusation that one is responsible for some lapse or misdeed
    implication
    an accusation that brings into intimate and usually incriminating connection
    impeachment
    the act of charging an official with an offense committed while in office
    type of:
    pleading
    (law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
  5. noun
    (civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based
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    libel
    the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks
    type of:
    pleading
    (law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
Pronunciation
US
/kəmˈpleɪnt/
UK
/kəmˈpleɪnt/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘complaint'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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