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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 On May 22, 2021, Cordrey allegedly identified Avery as the target, provided a Los Angeles address for his location, and said Avery could be killed by whatever method was easiest, including a shooting or staged incident, the complaint states. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026 The complaint names Epstein's former attorney, Darren Indyke, and his former accountant, Richard Kahn, as defendants. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Meta has long grappled with data privacy lawsuits and complaints. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 In May, an attorney for the company submitted a complaint to the Lauderhill Police Department. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 21 Oct. 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
  • The nationwide marches were meant to reflect broader dissatisfaction with the French government, with protesters taking to the streets to air a range of different grievances.
    — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Ontide management reported that worker turnover attributable to harassment and unresolved grievances had declined substantially; however, the report did not provide figures to quantify that change.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • The City Council voted it down, and the mayor's opponents passed an alternate budget plan over his objections.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ignoring those objections would mean losing the exemption, Martin said.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Despite the controversies and indictments, the league still views legalized sports gambling, and now prediction markets, as its best option.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Comey has denied any wrongdoing in that case and is seeking to have the indictment tossed out by a judge.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • Depending on the species, that could mean breeding animals in captivity and releasing them, restoring habitat, managing disease, or controlling invasive species.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Beeswax, honey, and pollen each possess their own particular antimicrobial and chemical properties that, taken together, repel disease and encourage helpful fungi.
    — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Our Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog saw them too and enthusiastically let out a small whine.
    — Kody Lostroh, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • Soft Stonewashed Sheets Sijo LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set Linen sheets aren’t usually known for being soft, but these are an exception.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Airbnb said exceptions may apply in certain circumstances, such as requiring guests to put trash in animal-proof containers in areas with bears.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • But the fact that Ammann’s platelet count, like Lanitis’s and Hawrylak’s, had been impacted after the alpha-lipoic- acid infusion suggested that Ammann, too, might have had an adverse response.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In July, Brown pleaded guilty to a count of affray at London’s Southwark Crown Court for attacking a music producer with a tequila bottle on the head.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of count
Noun
  • Now, with Garrett still dealing with a knee ailment in his own right, the Rams have been banged up with key players not just being down for a week or two, but prolonged recoveries.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The lack of clarity on the root of his ailments complicated the balancing act on both sides.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of ailment

Browse Nearby Words

complains
complaint
complaints
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaint. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on complaint

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about complaint

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All