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
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
Dennis Lin, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to ‘stop whining’ and get to work
Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the approach of President Trump’s administration.
—Andre Garron, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025
Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Men clad in DayGlo vests and hardhats chatted as the whine of a flying cargo drone echoed through the valley.
—Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whine
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Verb
Shildt is terrible for the Padres — the last thing that group of guys needs is someone encouraging their wild mood swings between whining and macho antics.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to ‘stop whining’ and get to work
Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the approach of President Trump’s administration.
—Andre Garron, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025
Noun
Pretty soon, the whine of the gears, the shriek of the diff, and the sheer cacophony of combustion make conversation all but impossible.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Men clad in DayGlo vests and hardhats chatted as the whine of a flying cargo drone echoed through the valley.
—Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whine
Cite this Entry
“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whine. Accessed 9 Jul. 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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