Complainee vs. Complainant — What's the Difference?

Complainee and Complainant are both related to the act of complaining, but they occupy opposite roles in the scenario. The Complainee is the individual or organization that has had a grievance lodged against them. This term is not as commonly used in legal or formal settings, but it's designed to represent the receiving end of the complaint. Conversely, the Complainant is the party that airs the grievance. This is a more recognized term, often found in legal documents or formal complaint procedures.

Complainee, by its very definition, indicates a position of defense or response. When someone becomes a Complainee, they are given the chance or expectation to address the grievance brought forward. On the other hand, the Complainant, being the initiator of the complaint, seeks redress or resolution to a perceived problem or wrong.

From a linguistic perspective, the "-ee" suffix in Complainee often signifies the receiver of an action, like in "employee" (one who is employed) or "payee" (one who receives payment). The "-ant" suffix in Complainant, meanwhile, usually indicates the doer of an action, evident in words like "applicant" (one who applies) or "defendant" (one who defends).

In a practical setting, the Complainee often finds themselves in a situation where they must react or remedy a situation, based on the feedback or accusations of the Complainant. The Complainant, conversely, takes a proactive role, seeking change or correction from the Complainee based on their grievances.

Both terms, Complainee and Complainant, signify integral parts of a complaint process. While one represents the voice of dissatisfaction or concern, the other embodies the subject of such concerns and the potential for resolution.