complain
40 synonyms and 0 antonyms for complain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or pain about something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use complain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French complaindre, from Latin plangere, "to beat the breast in grief" — the same root as "plaintive" and "plaint."
Full origin of complain →Frequently asked questions
What does “complain” mean?
The word “complain” means to express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or pain about something. In plain terms, to voice unhappiness about something, or to formally report a problem.
How do you pronounce “complain”?
“Complain” is pronounced kuhm-PLAYN (/kəmˈpleɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “complain” in a sentence?
Here is “complain” used in a sentence: “Guests complained about the slow service at the restaurant.”
What is another word for “complain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “complain” include beef, bellyache, bemoan, bleat, whimper and carp.
What part of speech is “complain”?
“Complain” is a verb.
Where does the word “complain” come from?
The word “complain” comes from Latin. From Old French complaindre, from Latin plangere, "to beat the breast in grief" — the same root as "plaintive" and "plaint.".
Is “complain” a common word?
“Complain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “complain” have?
“Complain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to express dissatisfaction, annoyance, or pain about something.
What is the difference between 'complain about' and 'complain of'?
Complain about is the everyday choice for expressing dissatisfaction, as in 'she complained about the noise'. Complain of is more formal and often used for symptoms or ailments, as in 'he complained of chest pains', where it means to report or mention them.
What is the difference between 'complain' and 'complaint'?
Complain is the verb, meaning to express dissatisfaction or make a formal report. Complaint is the noun for what results, so you complain in order to make a complaint.
When should you use 'complain to' rather than 'complain about'?
Use complain to before the person or authority who receives the grievance, and complain about before the thing that is wrong. You might complain to the manager about the service, combining both in one sentence.