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Synonyms
complain - 8 dictionary results
com⋅plain
[kuh
m-pleyn] 
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor. |
| 2. | to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache. |
| 3. | to make a formal accusation: If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police. |
Origin:
1350–1400; ME compleinen < AF compleign-, s. of compleindre, OF complaindre < VL *complangere, equiv. to L com- com- + plangere to lament; see plaint
1350–1400; ME compleinen < AF compleign-, s. of compleindre, OF complaindre < VL *complangere, equiv. to L com- com- + plangere to lament; see plaint
Related forms:
com⋅plain⋅a⋅ble, adjective
com⋅plain⋅er, noun
com⋅plain⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms:
1. Complain, grumble, growl, whine are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. To complain is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To grumble is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. Growl may express more anger than grumble: to growl in reply to a question. To whine is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.
1. Complain, grumble, growl, whine are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. To complain is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To grumble is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. Growl may express more anger than grumble: to growl in reply to a question. To whine is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.
Antonyms:
1. rejoice.
1. rejoice.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To complain
| com·plain (kəm-plān') intr.v. com·plained, com·plain·ing, com·plains
[Middle English compleinen, from Old French complaindre, complaign-, from Vulgar Latin *complangere : Latin com-, intensive pref.; see com- + Latin plangere, to lament; see plāk-2 in Indo-European roots.] com·plain'er n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Complain
Com*plain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Complained; p. pr. & vb. n. Complaining.] [F. complaindre, LL. complangere; com- + L. plangere to strike, beat, to beat the breast or head as a sign of grief, to lament. See Plaint.]1. To give utterance to expression of grief, pain, censure, regret. etc.; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; -- commonly used with of. Also, to creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel. O loss of sight, of thee I most complain! --Milton. 2. To make a formal accusation; to make a charge. Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king? --Shak. Syn: To repine; grumble; deplore; bewail; grieve; mourn; regret; murmur.Complain
Com*plain"\, v. t. To lament; to bewail. [Obs.] They might the grievance inwardly complain. --Daniel. By chaste Lucrece's soul that late complain'd Her wrongs to us. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : complain
Spanish:
quejarse,
German:
sich beklagen,
Japanese:
不平を言う
complain
c.1370, from stem of O.Fr. complaindre "to lament," from V.L. *complangere, orig. "to beat the breast," from L. com- intensive prefix + plangere "to strike, beat the breast," from PIE base *plag- "to strike." Older sense of "lament" died out 17c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: com·plain
Function: intransitive verb
: to make a complaint
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: com·plain
Pronunciation: k&m-'plAn
Function: intransitive verb
: to speak of one's illness or symptoms
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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complain
see can't complain.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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