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
The complaint alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster unlawfully exercises its monopoly power in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
—
Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The Kroger in the Holiday Manor Shopping Center and another location on Westport Road both faced complaints to Louisville health department officials regarding the possible presence of rodents, as well.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
Organizers had to tell Latino members not to attend the vigil for fear ICE agents would show up at the church, the complaint said.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
The complaint also calls for Disney to remove a pivotal sequence in the ninth episode of the series that shows Price, who is now known by her married name Marian McGlinchey, carrying out the execution.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for complaint
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Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The Kroger in the Holiday Manor Shopping Center and another location on Westport Road both faced complaints to Louisville health department officials regarding the possible presence of rodents, as well.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
Organizers had to tell Latino members not to attend the vigil for fear ICE agents would show up at the church, the complaint said.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
The complaint also calls for Disney to remove a pivotal sequence in the ninth episode of the series that shows Price, who is now known by her married name Marian McGlinchey, carrying out the execution.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 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 Aug. 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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