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
: the initial pleading that starts a lawsuit and that sets forth the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant
b
: a document sworn to by a crime victim or police officer that sets forth a criminal offense and commences proceedings in a magistrate's court
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 couple was last seen together on surveillance footage at a Beaver Dam Kwik Trip on March 29, 2025, according to a criminal complaint cited by WISC.
—
Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
For all the mechanical variety, my biggest complaint about Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is the size of the stages.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
Carollo’s pension complaint sat mostly dormant for years, until recent legal maneuverings brought it back to the City Commission.
—Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The complaint also alleged that the incoming funds intended for the Architecture and Design Center and the Latinx Program, as well as a donation from the City of Palm Springs, were also directed toward operating funds.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for complaint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
For all the mechanical variety, my biggest complaint about Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is the size of the stages.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
Carollo’s pension complaint sat mostly dormant for years, until recent legal maneuverings brought it back to the City Commission.
—Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The complaint also alleged that the incoming funds intended for the Architecture and Design Center and the Latinx Program, as well as a donation from the City of Palm Springs, were also directed toward operating funds.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for complaint
Cite this Entry
“Complaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complaint. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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
