whined; whining
1
a
: to utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry
b
: to make a sound similar to such a cry
the wind whined in the chimney
2
: to complain with or as if with a whine
always whining about the weather
3
: to move or proceed with the sound of a whine
the bullet whined … across the ice—
Berton Roueché
Berton Roueché
: to utter or express with or as if with a whine
whiner
noun
1
a
: a prolonged high-pitched cry usually expressive of distress or pain
b
: a sound resembling such a cry
2
: a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine
Synonyms
Examples of whine in a Sentence
Verb
He's always whining about the weather.
Quit whining and finish your dinner.
“I want to leave now,” she whined.
The workers were whining that the office was too cold.
The dog was whining because it wanted to go out.
The electric saw whined as it cut through the wood.
Noun
the whine of a jet engine
the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be
Recent Examples on the Web
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Rather than a bark or even a regular whining sound, Enzo has surprised social media users by showing off his unexpected squeaking noises.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2024
Fittingly, its most art-averse detractors responded with an awful lot of whine.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whine 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Seems to be the only real way to get everybody to stop whining about the seeding.
—Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Rather than a bark or even a regular whining sound, Enzo has surprised social media users by showing off his unexpected squeaking noises.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
When in use, the motor produced a slightly audible whistle/whine.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2024
Fittingly, its most art-averse detractors responded with an awful lot of whine.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whine
Dictionary Entries Near whine
Cite this Entry
“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whine. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whine
1 of 2 verb
ˈhwīn 
ˈwīn
whined; whining
1
: to make a shrill troubled cry or a similar sound
a child whining
the electric saw whined as it cut the wood
2
: to complain with or as if with a whine
always whining about his chores
whiner
noun
whine
2 of 2 noun1
: a whining cry or sound
2
: a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine
whiny
adjective
ˈhwi-nē
ˈwī-
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