complain

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Related to complain: complaint

complain

(Charge), verb accusare, accuse, arraign, blame, bring a suit, bring an action, bring charges, bring proceedings against, bring up on charges, censure, challenge, charge with, cite, criminate, declaim against, delate, denounce, denunciate, file a charge, file a claim, file a suit, implicate, impute, incriminate, inculpate, inform against, institute a lawsuit, lay an information, lay blame upon, lay responsibility on, lay the blame on, lodge a complaint, make an accusation, prefer charges, prosecute, reprehend, reproach, reprobate, start an action, state a grievance, sue, take action
Associated concepts: complain of a criminal act, complain of a tortious act

complain

(Criticize), verb accuse, admonish, asperse, assail, be critical, be dissatisfied, berate, blame, carp, cast aspersions, castigate, cavil, censure, chide, condemn, conqueri de rem, contravene, decry, defy, denounce, deprecate, differ, disagree, disapprove, disparage, faultfind, find fault, find fault with, malign, object, object to, oppose, protest, rebuke, remonstrate, repine, reprehend, reprimand, reproach, reprove, speak ill of, take exception, take exception to, upbraid

See also: accuse, cite, criticize, deplore, object, protest, reproach

References in classic literature ?

For my part, I confess I must complain however small the ache may be; unless this rule about not complaining extends to the squires of knights-errant also.

Don Quixote could not help laughing at his squire's simplicity, and he assured him he might complain whenever and however he chose, just as he liked, for, so far, he had never read of anything to the contrary in the order of knighthood.

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I came, madame, intending to complain energetically, and to inform you that I will not submit to such behavior from the Duke of Buckingham.

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There was a fixed rule that they must never hit back at meals, but should refer the matter of dispute to Wendy by raising the right arm politely and saying, "I complain of so-and-so;" but what usually happened was that they forgot to do this or did it too much.

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As it was, nobody having reason to complain of unjustly-diminished wages, nobody cared about any preferences in which profit was not involved.

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The Lion said, "Well, since so huge a beast is afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself dead.

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It is the only way," he added, seeing that the passenger was about to complain of the accommodations.

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I should like to be less of a pet and more of a friend, if I might choose; but I won't complain of that: I am only afraid his affection loses in depth where it gains in ardour.

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Thy graciousness and over-graciousness, is it which will not complain and weep: and yet, O my soul, longeth thy smiling for tears, and thy trembling mouth for sobs.

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I ha' not coom here, sir,' Stephen reminded him, 'to complain.

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I have a right to complain of it as almost a breach of confidence.

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Thus Achilles, in Homer, complains of Agamemnon's treating him like an unhonoured stranger; for a stranger or sojourner is one who does not partake of the honours of the state: and whenever the right to the freedom of the city is kept obscure, it is for the sake of the inhabitants.