complain

Complain is a verb meaning to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something perceived as wrong, unsatisfactory, or irritating. It can refer to voicing a fault, seeking redress, or describing a personal grievance. The related noun is complaint, and the act of voicing dissatisfaction is sometimes described as lodging or making a complaint.

Usage patterns center on prepositions: to complain about something, to complain of a pain or condition, or to complain to someone (for example, customer service) about an issue. The verb is regular in English inflection: I/you/we/they complain, he/she/it complains, and complained or complaining in different tenses. Common phrasal forms include 'complain about,' 'complain to,' and 'complain of.'

In rhetoric, complaining can be casual, venting, or formal and policy-oriented, such as submitting a formal complaint to a company, organization, or government body. While often negative, complaining can play a role in signaling problems and prompting improvements. Synonyms such as gripe, moan, protest, or whine carry varying degrees of severity and formality.

See also: complaint; complaint handling; customer service; grievance. Examples: 'She complained about the delay,' 'They lodged a formal complaint with the agency.'