keen

³keen

verb \ˈkēn\

Definition of KEEN

intransitive verb

1

a : to make a loud and long cry of sorrow : to lament with a keen b : to make a sound suggestive of a loud cry of sorrow <a keening siren>

2

: to lament, mourn, or complain loudly

transitive verb

: to utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry

— keen·er noun

Examples of KEEN

1. mourners keening at a funeral
2. <victims of the disaster have been keening for weeks about the slowness of governmental aid>

Origin of KEEN

Irish caoinim I lament, weep

First Known Use: 1845

Related to KEEN

Synonyms: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, complain, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl

Antonyms: crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words: object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commend

see all synonyms and antonyms

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