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.
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
Historian Heather Cox Richardson, in her regular post for March 30, notes a similar procession of this complaint.
—
Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The complaint is based on the Intertek and SGS testing results provided in September.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
The complaint was filed to address these issues and their valid trademark.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2025
The requirements came as part of a 2019 settlement, resolving complaints that the Mattawoman Energy natural gas plant in Brandywine was built without adequate warning to the majority Black community, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complaint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The complaint is based on the Intertek and SGS testing results provided in September.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
The complaint was filed to address these issues and their valid trademark.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2025
The requirements came as part of a 2019 settlement, resolving complaints that the Mattawoman Energy natural gas plant in Brandywine was built without adequate warning to the majority Black community, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complaint
Cite this Entry
“Complaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complaint. Accessed 6 Apr. 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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