whining

[ wahy-ning, hwahy- ]
See synonyms for whining on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. uttering a nasal, complaining cry, as from peevishness, discontent, uneasiness, etc.: If there’s one sound that makes me want to tear my ears off, it’s the sound of a whining tomcat.Our daughter has grown from a whining child on the first day of playgroup to one who asks to go even on Saturdays.

  2. complaining in a petulant, self-pitying way: Those whining people who blame everyone and think everyone is against them need to grow up.

  1. making or being a drawn-out, high-pitched sound: In courtship, the male of the white-eyed vireo displays to the female by fluffing its plumage, spreading its tail, and uttering a whining call.

noun
  1. the act or habit of crying or complaining in a peevish way: Can I give you a bit more work today if I have to, and not get any whining from you?

  2. the act of making a drawn-out, high-pitched sound: A few hours later the whining of a chainsaw began.

Origin of whining

1
First recorded in 1400–50; whin(e) + -ing2 for the adjective senses; whin(e) + -ing1 for the noun senses

Other words from whining

  • whin·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·whin·ing, adjective
  • un·whin·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby whining

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use whining in a sentence

  • Katherine, Daniel, and Nathan are quite unlikable people, stuck with one another, whining to their friends and family.

  • When I hear (as I often do) some flabby boozer whining and ascribing his trouble to the drinkshop, I despise him.

    The Chequers | James Runciman
  • Howsomever, I am not dead broke yet, and even if a man is dead broke inself, there is no reason why he should go whining about it.

  • It is the apt accompaniment of a whining tongue, the fit complement of a verjuice countenance.

  • Soon a whining commences, which grows louder and louder, and becomes disagreeable to every person present.

    Charles Duran | The Author of The Waldos
  • Even on the outside, however, they could hear her shrill, whining protest against any mention of Morley.

    The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.