Complained

Complained is the past tense and past participle of the verb to complain. It refers to the act of expressing dissatisfaction, annoyance, or protest about a person, situation, or circumstance.

In modern English, complain is commonly followed by about + a noun or by that + clause: “She complained about the noise” or “He complained that the service was slow.” The form “complained” is used in various tenses, such as “They have complained” or “She had complained,” and as a past participle in passive constructions or perfect tenses. The related noun is complaint, and the present participle is complaining. The tone is typically neutral to negative, though complaints can be constructive when they aim to resolve an issue.

Etymology: from Old French complaindre (to lament, to find fault), from Latin plangere (to strike, to lament).

Related terms include complaint, complain, complaining, grumble, protest.