Complain vs. Criticize — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 1, 2023
To complain is to express dissatisfaction or discomfort about a situation, often without offering a solution. To criticize is to evaluate and point out flaws or shortcomings, usually with the intent of improvement or analysis.
Difference Between Complain and Criticize
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Complain refers to the expression of dissatisfaction or displeasure about a situation, often focused on personal discomfort or unfairness. Criticize, on the other hand, involves evaluating something and pointing out its faults, generally with the intention of provoking thought or encouraging change.
When someone complains, they're usually expressing their own dissatisfaction without necessarily offering a way to solve the issue. Criticizing usually goes beyond mere expression of dissatisfaction; it provides specific points that could be improved or changed.
Grammatically, both "complain" and "criticize" are verbs, but their usage can differ. "Complain" is often used intransitively ("She complains often") or transitively with a preposition ("He complained about the service"). "Criticize" is usually used transitively ("She criticized his work").
Complain often has an emotional or subjective component, usually seeking sympathy or validation. Criticize, however, often aims to be more objective, focusing on facts and offering assessments that could lead to improvements. Both actions can be either constructive or destructive depending on the intent and the manner in which they are delivered.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Dissatisfaction
Evaluation
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Intent
Often no solution offered
Aim for improvement
Grammatical Role
Used transitively and intransitively
Used primarily transitively
Emotional Component
Usually emotional
Can be objective
Result
Seeks sympathy or validation
Seeks improvement or change
Compare with Definitions
Complain
A verbal objection to discomfort or unfairness.
He complained that his room was too cold.
Criticize
Evaluation of flaws or shortcomings.
The teacher criticized his essay for lack of structure.
Complain
Expression of personal dissatisfaction.
She complained about the lack of customer service.
Criticize
Intellectual judgment of quality or merit.
Art critics criticize based on a work's innovation and execution.
Complain
A way to seek sympathy or validation.
People often complain to gain empathy from others.
Criticize
An objective assessment aimed at change.
He criticized her method as inefficient.
Complain
Indicating a lack of contentment.
Employees complain when they're unhappy at work.
Criticize
The act of offering constructive or destructive feedback.
Criticize wisely, as words have an impact.
Complain
An outcry against perceived shortcomings.
Customers will complain if the product doesn't meet their expectations.
Criticize
To find fault with
Criticized the decision as unrealistic. See Usage Note at critique.
Complain
To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
Criticize
To judge the merits and faults of; analyze and evaluate
Criticizes art for a living.
Complain
To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge; file a complaint.
Criticize
To act as a critic.
Complain
(intransitive) To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
Criticize
To find fault (with something).
They criticized him for endangering people's lives.
Complain
(intransitive) To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
They've complained about me to the police again.
Criticize
To evaluate (something), assessing its merits and faults.
Complain
To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
The complaining bed-springs
Criticize
Same as criticise; as, The paper criticized the new movie.
Complain
To give utterance to expression of grief, pain, censure, regret. etc.; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; - commonly used with of. Also, to creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
O loss of sight, of thee I most complain!
Criticize
Find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws;
The paper criticized the new movie
Don't knock the food--it's free
Complain
To make a formal accusation; to make a charge.
Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?
Criticize
Act as a critic;
Those who criticize others often are not perfect, either
Complain
To lament; to bewail.
They might the grievance inwardly complain.
By chaste Lucrece's soul that late complain'dHer wrongs to us.
Criticize
Pointing out faults with intent for improvement.
She criticized the company's environmental practices.
Complain
Express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness;
My mother complains all day
She has a lot to kick about
Complain
Make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge;
The plaintiff's lawyer complained that he defendant had physically abused his client
Common Curiosities
What does Complain mean?
To complain is to express dissatisfaction about a situation, often without offering a solution.
Is complaining always negative?
Not necessarily, complaining can be a way to identify issues, but it often lacks solutions.
Is criticism always constructive?
No, criticism can be either constructive or destructive depending on the intent.
Can you Complain without Criticizing?
Yes, you can complain to express dissatisfaction without pointing out specific flaws.
Can you Criticize without Complaining?
Yes, you can criticize by objectively pointing out faults without expressing personal dissatisfaction.
Can Complain be objective?
Complaining is often more emotional and subjective, focusing on personal dissatisfaction.
Can Criticize be emotional?
Criticizing can have an emotional aspect but often aims to be more objective.
Who usually Criticizes?
Anyone can criticize, but it's often done by people in a position to evaluate or assess.
Is Complaining more personal than Criticizing?
Generally, yes. Complaining usually centers on personal dissatisfaction.
Is Criticizing more analytical than Complaining?
Yes, criticizing often involves a detailed evaluation of flaws or shortcomings.
What does Criticize mean?
To criticize is to point out flaws or shortcomings, usually with the aim of improvement.
Are both words verbs?
Yes, both "complain" and "criticize" function primarily as verbs.
Can Criticizing lead to Complaining?
While less common, criticism can lead to complaints if the criticism provokes dissatisfaction.
Can Complaining lead to Criticizing?
Yes, what starts as a complaint may lead to more detailed criticism.
Who usually Complains?
Anyone can complain when they feel discomfort or see unfairness.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
