complain

[kuhm-pleyn] / kəmˈpleɪn /

VERB

grumble about

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accuse criticize denounce disagree fret gripe grumble lament moan object oppose protest

STRONG

ascribe attack beef bellyache bemoan bewail bitch carp cavil charge contravene defy demur deplore deprecate differ disapprove dissent expostulate fuss gainsay grieve groan grouse growl impute indict lay nag refute remonstrate repine reproach snivel wail whimper whine yammer

WEAK

find fault kick up a fuss look askance make a fuss sound off take exception to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept agree aid approve compliment concur consent help laud please praise soothe

STRONG

assent be happy defend delight endorse exonerate give in gloat go along protect ratify retreat sanction support surrender

WEAK

applaud be content commend recommend

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They suffer from overcrowding and residents complain of underfunding, leading to poor facilities and bad infrastructure.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

“The two things that consumers notice and complain about first and foremost are rises in food and fuel prices. Yet, in this case, they continue to spend because they have the money to do so.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

If you own one of the other 29 teams, you can complain that you cannot sell championship hope and faith if the Dodgers are spending five times as much as the Cleveland Guardians.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t complain, I like to be in my thoughts, but who would have thought that at fifty, suddenly, it’s just me, my dog and our silence?

From Salon • May 9, 2026

There aren’t any caterpillar songs, but Teddy doesn’t complain.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Vocabulary lists containing complain

"The Railway Train" by Emily Dickinson

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Shiloh

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Sarah, Plain and Tall

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