complain
verb (used without object)
to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault.
had complained
-
past perfectof complain.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos had complained internally for months that Americans were spending less time watching Netflix and that the service was short on new hit shows, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
She had complained of pain in the area of the injection, and she said, “It feels like my arm is about to burst.”
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
In the fall of 2023, district officials asked schools for an inventory of specific titles public speakers had complained about at board meetings.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Wilson alleged that MacInnes had complained to her the next day about being uncomfortable that she was asked by Ghost to take the bath.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
He decided to tell Mrs. Das about another patient, and another: the young woman who had complained of a sensation of raindrops in her spine, the gentleman whose birthmark had begun to sprout hairs.
From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
