backbite vs complain

backbite and complain both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
backbite	No	No	Yes	No
complain	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, complain is a hypernym of backbite; that is, complain is a word with a broader meaning than backbite:

Other hypernyms of backbite include kick, kvetch, plain, quetch, sound off.

backbite (verb)	complain (verb)
say mean things	express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
	make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge