complain

/kəmˈpleɪn/

/kəmˈpleɪn/

Other forms: complained; complaining; complains

To complain is to express your unhappiness about something. You might complain to your landlord about a raise in your rent, or to the cops about your noisy neighbors. Just don't whine; it won't get you anywhere.

Speakers of Yiddish will know that complain is often interchangeable with kvetch, which is what you do when you don't like the food or the small portions. But you can complain in a more formal way by, say, writing a letter or even filing a lawsuit. But whether the issue is large or small, do yourself a favor and don't complain too often, or people might stop taking you seriously.

Definitions of complain

1. verb

   express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
   “My mother complains all day”

   synonyms: kick, kvetch, plain, quetch, sound off

   antonyms:

   cheer

   become cheerful

   types:

   hen-peck, nag, peck

   bother persistently with trivial complaints

   backbite, bitch

   say mean things

   grizzle, whine, yammer, yawp

   complain whiningly

   croak, gnarl, grumble, murmur, mutter

   make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath

   grouch, grumble, scold

   show one's unhappiness or critical attitude

   protest

   utter words of protest

   repine

   express discontent

   beef, bellyache, bitch, crab, gripe, grouse, holler, squawk

   complain

   inveigh, rail

   complain bitterly

   bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

   regret strongly

   report

   complain about; make a charge against

   bleat

   talk whiningly

   declaim, inveigh

   speak against in an impassioned manner
2. verb

   make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge
   type of:

   charge

   make an accusatory claim