complain
verb (used without object)
to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault.
have complained
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present perfectof complain.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
With all of these changes, borrowers have complained that they have struggled to obtain basic information about their loans and to get paperwork processed in a timely fashion.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
McDonald’s franchisees have complained about “tough meat” and other issues with new hand-breaded chicken, an analyst said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Presidents have complained about the press, the courts and Congress.
From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026
The attorneys said detainees have complained about going three to seven hours without water, and about having access only to tap water that tastes like metal and smells like fish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Copernicus would have complained that the two spheres were not in fact drawn to the same scale.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
