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
Earlier on Wednesday, the union representing the department’s rank-and-file officers, whose complaints to county officials triggered the report, asserted that their recent public criticism of Corpus only had to do with her job performance.
—
Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
The day after Simpson’s arrest last month, a federal complaint was filed against him.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
But issues started to arise for Schenke in June after Tippecanoe County Board of Elections officials requested him to appear at a June meeting to discuss a complaint regarding whether the political disclaimers for an advertisement on Schenke's motorhome were sufficiently obvious.
—Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
There is plenty to criticize about American foreign policy since World War II, and U.S. allies never tired of airing their complaints.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for complaint 
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Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
The day after Simpson’s arrest last month, a federal complaint was filed against him.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
But issues started to arise for Schenke in June after Tippecanoe County Board of Elections officials requested him to appear at a June meeting to discuss a complaint regarding whether the political disclaimers for an advertisement on Schenke's motorhome were sufficiently obvious.
—Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
There is plenty to criticize about American foreign policy since World War II, and U.S. allies never tired of airing their complaints.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
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 22 Nov. 2024.
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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