as in moan
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
for the whole of our vacation, the kids whined on and on about the weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whine
Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Fritz revved the engine, a desperate, needling whine, and the vessel lurched down the airstrip, the chute billowing awake behind him.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
In a similar lawsuit launched in March against Trump’s reorganization of the Department of Education, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers whined that Trump’s plan could lead to block grants to the states, some even allowing the money to go for private school vouchers.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whine
Noun
Israel Hernandez heard the faint whine of sirens outside his Wilmington apartment and looked up just in time to see a minivan crash into another vehicle as police gave chase.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Fritz revved the engine, a desperate, needling whine, and the vessel lurched down the airstrip, the chute billowing awake behind him.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
During the sweet clip, the rescue puppy named Penelope can be seen whining and trying her best to crawl along the bed toward the cat, Monroe.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
In a similar lawsuit launched in March against Trump’s reorganization of the Department of Education, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers whined that Trump’s plan could lead to block grants to the states, some even allowing the money to go for private school vouchers.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whine
Noun
-
Suffice to say, the 2025 Cannes market will be filled with even more groans on moans than years past.—
Elsa Ramo,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
There's a push, and suddenly, a newborn's first cry replaces the mother's moans.—
Laura Gómez,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
His team-mates celebrated; the Boca players complained furiously, surrounding the referee and pointing at Marchesin.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Many have complained that American alternatives for some foreign imports may be unavailable or are too expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Officers responded to a burglary complaint about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, when employees at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department told cops someone was stuck in the chimney of a building in Rockwell Park, Bristol Police Lt. Desmond Wilson said.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
-
The Biden administration warned that would lead to a huge backlog of complaints and strain the government’s resources, should thousands of borrowers now have to present their cases in court, and would harm borrowers by forcing them to default on their loans in order to possibly get relief.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
The Pacers' star went down and immediately screamed in pain.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
White Zinnias These hardy flowers from Mexico have had my heart for years; their bold colors simply scream summer.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
This is a lament for something that is out of reach, almost strange to the narrator.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2025
-
Instead, Nick takes a seat next to Joseph and laments not listening to June, who told him so long ago to quit all this.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
The deep pockets add both style and practicality—great for a mom to put her card and keys in without the fuss of a purse.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
16 June 2025
-
Through all that high entertainment, Spaun went out in the morning with hardly a fuss and nary a bogey.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump also seemed to put a greater priority on addressing his grievances with other nations’ trade policies.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
-
In many of these cases, investigations consistently revealed that the suspects harbored either real or perceived grievances against the politician or their political beliefs, and subsequently acted upon those grievances.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
After 19 years, the concert hall went out Friday night not with a whimper but a twang.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Romance ends not with a bang but a whimper on Patty Loveless' strummy, somber torch song: a ring on the pillow, a key left in the door, and a Dear John note in the kitchen next to the grocery list.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whine. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share