keen

keen

verb

Definition of KEEN

1

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely <victims of the disaster have been keening for weeks about the slowness of governmental aid>

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

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

Antonyms crow, delight, rejoice

2

to make a long loud mournful sound <mourners keening for the victims of the bombing>

Synonyms bay, keen, ululate, wail, yowl

Related Words bawl, caterwaul, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yawp (or yaup), yell, yelp