We’ve all met someone who is never satisfied and makes it everyone else’s problem.
But is there a term in English for someone who complains about everything?
In this article, we’ve provided a list of great terms for a person who kicks up a fuss wherever they go. So, keep reading!
Words for a Person Who Complains About Everything
- Complainer
- Faultfinder
- Grumbler
- Whinger
- Caviller
- Whiner
- Sourpuss
- Bellyacher
- Sniveller
- Griper
- Kvetch
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The best word to describe a person who never stops complaining is “complainer.”
- If someone complains because they can’t help but find the flaws in everything around them, you can call them a “faultfinder.”
- Someone who constantly mumbles and moans under their breath about their displeasure is a “grumbler.”
Don’t go anywhere! We still need to discuss our top three words for a person who complains about everything in greater detail.
After that, we’ll show you some helpful example sentences, including each of our choices.
Complainer
The most direct term for a person who constantly complains is “complainer.”
According to the Collins Dictionary, “a complainer is someone who complains a lot about their problems or about things they do not like.”
Therefore, if you’re out with a friend and they can’t help but bring up their various woes throughout the day, you can call them a “complainer.”
This term is also used frequently among people who work in customer service.
A “complainer,” in this context, is one of the many kinds of customers that people in the service industry will face throughout their workday.
In short, “complainers” will unreasonably take issue with the products they’ve bought or the standard of service they receive.
You’ve probably seen someone demand to “speak with the manager” at a store or restaurant – the classic behavior of a “complainer”!
To see this term in action, check out the example sentences below:
Fred is an incorrigible complainer, so I’ve learned to drown him out when he starts monologuing about his problems.
We had a chronic complainer in the store today who couldn’t comprehend why I wouldn’t carry her flat screen to the parking lot.
Faultfinder
The Collins Dictionary defines a “faultfinder” as “a person given to finding fault; chronic, captious complainer.”
From this definition, you can clearly see that “faultfinder” and “complainer” are synonyms.
Therefore, this is another word for someone who tends to find fault in the world around them and voices their displeasure constantly as a result!
However, there are some subtle differences between these two phrases if you consider them closely,
Namely, a “complainer” is someone who makes a habit of complaining. Therefore, this term refers to the behavior of the person.
The word “faultfinder,” on the other hand, refers more to the personality type of a person who complains constantly.
In short, it explains why a person complains a great deal – it’s because they find fault in everything!
Have a look at how we’ve used the term “faultfinder” in a couple of examples:
A notorious faultfinder, Gabrielle was quick to point out the missing details in our plan.
You know what a faultfinder your father is; when he arrives at the stairway to heaven, he’ll probably cause a quarrel about the lack of elevators.
Grumbler
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a “grumbler” is, quite simply, “a person who complains a lot.”
Therefore, it’s safe to say that being a “grumbler” is another character trait of someone who complains a lot, especially over minor issues.
This phrase is very evocative compared to the two above.
Namely, it creates the image of a person who mumbles, murmurs, and moans about things under their breath.
After all, the word “grumble” is said to stem either from the French word “grommeler,” which means to “mutter between the teeth,” or the Middle Dutch word “grommelen,” meaning to “mummer, mutter, or grunt.”
So, if you ever meet a grumpy person who expresses their grievances in a low, rumbling voice, you can call them a “grumbler.”
Let’s see this term in a few example sentences:
Don’t take Shanine’s criticisms to heart; she’s become an unbearable grumbler in her old age.
Stop being such a grumbler and do something to change your situation!