Definition of: complain

(kəm·plān′) v.i.
1. To express a sense of ill-treatment or of pain, grief, etc.; murmur; find fault; present a grievance.
2. To make a formal accusation; present a charge or complaint. [<F complaindre <LL complangere <com- thoroughly + plangere beat (the beast in grief)]
—com·plain′er noun Synonyms: croak, deplore, growl, grumble, grunt, murmur, remonstrate, repine. To complain is to give utterance to dissatisfaction or objection, express a sense of wrong or ill-treatment. One complains of a real or assumed grievance; he may murmur through mere peevishness or ill temper; he repines, with vain distress, at the inevitable. Complaining is by speech or writing; murmuring is commonly said of half-repressed utterance; repining of the mental act alone. One may complain of an offense to the offender or to others; he remonstrates with the offender only. Complain has a legal meaning, which the other words have not, signifying to make a formal accusation, present a specific charge; the same is true of the noun complaint. Antonyms: applaud, approve, commend, eulogize, laud, praise.