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Glite Dictionary
complainant

complainant

19 7.0
A person who makes a legal claim in court against someone
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpleɪnənt/
  • Formal
translation icon : demandante
  • So, as I understand it, the complainant, a deputy headmaster, alleges that he's been the victim of attempted extortion.
  • eligible complainants
  • notify the complainant
  • inform the complainant

He had a very vague statement from one of the complainants, but no examples.

Examples

  • As the complainant, she had the right to present her evidence in court.

  • Your job is to conduct preliminary interviews of the complainant.

    Street Kings (2008)

  • Again I ask, have you any questions for the complainant?

    Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

  • I wasn't planning to, Your Honor, but the complainant is my daughter.

    My Sister's Keeper (2009)

  • The consultant shall notify the complainant and the dean of the school of the action taken.

    Academic text (1997)

  • According to recent reports, some of the complainants were physically sick.

  • The complainant was the landlady, one Enid Borden.

    Dragnet (1987)

  • In view of the turmoil that this case is causing and the new legal territories which must be explored, I would like to meet with the complainants privately in my chambers.

    Stuck on You! (1982)

  • The lawyer interviewed the complainant to gather more details about the case.

  • The judge listened carefully to the complainant before making a ruling on the case.

Synonyms

plaintiff
vscomplainant
  • Formal
431 7.5

A person who brings a case against someone in court

is the person who initiates formal court complaints or actions
petitioner
vscomplainant
  • Formal
21 6.1

A person who formally asks a court or official for something

seeks to start legal complaint processes rather than request by petition
claimant
vscomplainant
  • Specialized
15 5.1

A person who asks for money or a right they say is theirs

initiates a court complaint specifically, not just any claim
relator
vscomplainant
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A private person who sues to expose fraud against the government

is a general initiator of court complaints not acting for government
suer
vscomplainant
  • Archaic
8.7

A person who starts a court case to get money or a right

initiates a formal court complaint but with general complaint focus
suiter
vscomplainant
  • Archaic
8.4

A person who starts a court case to claim something

does the same but emphasizes formally starting court procedures
libelant
vscomplainant
  • Formal
9.9

A person who starts a court case against someone for false written statements

covers court complaints more broadly beyond those specific case types
grievant
vscomplainant
  • Formal
9.0

A person who makes a formal complaint at work or in a legal case

is the formal filer specifically in a court or legal action
preferrer
vscomplainant
  • Formal
8.2

A person who brings a complaint or petition to an authority

is focused on starting a court process rather than merely presenting papers

Antonyms

defendant
  • Specialized
802 3.7

A person or organization that someone accuses in a court case

How Formal

litigant
  • Specialized
9 7.7
plaintiff
  • Formal
431 7.5
grievant
  • Formal
9.0
complainant
  • Formal
19 7.0
complainer
11 2.8

Surface Forms

complainant singular
complainants plural

Morphology

complainant = complain (transparent) = complain + ant

Formed by the agentive suffix '-ant' added to the verb 'complain', yielding 'person who makes a complaint' in a straightforward way.

Etymology

The word complainant comes from complain plus the ending -ant. Complain means 'to say you are unhappy' and -ant means 'one who', so a complainant is 'one who makes a complaint', often the person who starts a legal case.