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View synonyms for whine

whine

[ wahyn, hwahyn ]

verb (used without object)

, whined, whin·ing.
  1. to utter a low, usually nasal, complaining cry or sound, as from uneasiness, discontent, peevishness, etc.:

    The puppies were whining from hunger.

    Synonyms: moan, whimper

  2. to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way:

    He is always whining about his problems.



verb (used with object)

, whined, whin·ing.
  1. to utter with or as if with a whine:

    I whined my litany of complaints.

noun

  1. a whining utterance, sound, or tone.
  2. a feeble, peevish complaint.

whine

/ waɪn /

noun

  1. a long high-pitched plaintive cry or moan
  2. a continuous high-pitched sound
  3. a peevish complaint, esp one repeated
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. to make a whine or utter in a whine
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈwhiningly, adverb
  • ˈwhiner, noun
  • ˈwhining, adjective
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Other Words From

  • whin·er noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of whine1

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English verb whinen “to groan in pain or distress; make animal sounds, whimper, whinny, squeal,” Old English hwīnan (of an arrow) “to whiz, buzz, hum”; cognate with Old Norse hvīna, of imitative origin
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Word History and Origins

Origin of whine1

Old English hwīnan; related to Old Norse hvīna, Swedish hvija to scream
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

When she turns the throttle, the bike launches forward with a deep whine.

Their whines, squeaks, and chittering sounds are unlike many other common forest animals, so listen carefully if you’re eager to know their whereabouts.

When the machine is operating, it emits a penetrating whine, like a dentist’s drill.

Robert: I probably whine more than anybody of having to do 22 a year, so there was pride in what she said.

Anyone going through Prozac Nation can certainly find plenty of callow moments when Wurtzel does whine.

Every time the government raises environmental standards, industry leaders whine that the cost will be prohibitive.

But no matter, we are allergic and getting more allergic, hear us roar (and sniffle and whine and hack).

They whine that the movie is just a parade of liberals mocking conservatives.

For above the beat of the rain and the shrill whine of the wind came a strain of music, mournful, yet exquisitely beautiful.

Talpers's voice had taken on something of a whine, and Lowell straightened up in disgust.

A cry, a little cry almost like the whine of a small animal suddenly hurt, escaped from Latour's lips.

The only answer was an uneasy whine as the animal crouched close to the man's feet.

James thought his kingly power divine And, loathing Puritanic ‘whine,’

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