complaint

noun

kəm-ˈplānt How to pronounce complaint (audio)
Definition of complaintnext
1
as in grievance
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment a warning that if there were any more complaints, we were turning around and not going to the beach after all

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent the condo development proceeded despite the complaints of the neighborhood residents

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in indictment
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person filed a complaint in court

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4
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning takes a slew of medicines for his many complaints

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complaint The complaint cites a couple of other instances of IPI’s use of the word toxic to describe Davis Gates and the CTU. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Commissioners paused new complaints in May for a period of up to 6 months, until a new system can be devised. — Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Officers tasered Robinson before placing him in handcuffs, according to the complaint. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 The orders have been a recurring flashpoint in these deals, with legal complaints alleging officials in Equatorial Guinea and Ghana forcibly sent third-country deportees to their home nations in violation of the orders. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complaint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaint
  1. grievance
  2. objection
  3. indictment
  4. disease
  5. whine
  6. exception
  7. count
  8. ailment
Noun
  • No oral history, no tell-all, no anonymous former executive airing grievances.
    — Jeff Rabhan, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Among the pieces of evidence found by authorities in Mangione’s backpack was a notebook that detailed his apparent grievances against the industry.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • Fortunately, Gorbachev would drop his objections to SDI in time for both men to sign a landmark treaty in 1987 that abolished all intermediate range nuclear arms in Europe and made the entire world safer.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One man was quick enough to grab his ankle and let out a firm objection, but the foot slipped free from the boot and the houndsman was gone into the tight tunnel full of frantic dogs and furious bear.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The indictment also includes a new special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait, which would make Nick eligible for life without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • Those enrolled have experienced CLBP due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) for less than five years.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Prices of the precious commodity have swung dramatically from one season to the next, particularly as issues such as climate change, water scarcity and pest and disease pressures persist.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • The Constitution protects defendants from being prosecuted for the same crime twice, but Mangione's dueling state and federal cases fall into one of the exceptions for double jeopardy.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Primary history The mid-August primaries have a long history of lackluster turnout – with one major exception.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • The eight remaining student-age defendants face misdemeanor counts of possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, the office said.
    — Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Reiner has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and lying in wait.
    — Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of count
Noun
  • In this high silk topper The Big Bambino was on top of the world with no premonition that a serious throat ailment would lead to his death in a few short years.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Chapman won’t play another game for the Giants this year after undergoing core muscle surgery earlier this week, but the 33-year-old has finally addressed an ailment that’s bothered him for effectively the whole season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of ailment

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complains
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complaints
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Cite this Entry

“Complaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaint. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on complaint

Nglish: Translation of complaint for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about complaint

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