as in moan
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
for the whole of our vacation, the kids whined on and on about the weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whine
Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2025
This low-life is lying in my jail, getting three meals a day, whining and crying.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whine
Noun
Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
Verb
At least Ainsley is barely in the episode, only showing up briefly to whine about her brother’s attendance at their grandmother’s upcoming funeral and do some more flips in the yard.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2025
This low-life is lying in my jail, getting three meals a day, whining and crying.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whine
Noun
-
Despite hearing her moan, Spees called in a level three resistance report but then continued escorting her toward his patrol vehicle.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Three hours later, only faint moans can be heard on the video footage when a jail guard opened the cell door again and summoned Ellis Jr. out to see the nurse.—
Austin Fast,
USA Today,
20 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The complaint alleges the blaze ignited when the two workers from the Public Works Department were moving boulders in Trabuco Canyon.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The complaint says King returned to the apartment the next day, wearing a mask and again asking about Toney.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hearing the Creature screaming his name, Victor turns back.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
-
For all the talk about home-field advantage and the Bears needing their fans to scream 20 percent louder and be 30 percent drunker than usual, past precedent shows that won’t matter much.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our lament about our father’s painful passing in Florida — where there are gobs of old people but no MAID laws to make death more peaceful — morphed into an unexpected series of stories on same.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The power of this viral lament comes from the way Kata situates Good’s death within the haunted geography of the Minneapolis uprising that took place in 2020 following Floyd’s murder.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While Nicole Kidman appeared to settle her divorce from Keith Urban quickly and without much fuss, a less amicable situation reportedly unfolded behind the scenes, in part due to the painful aftermath of her 2001 divorce from first husband Tom Cruise.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Vongerichten didn’t get his reputation for nothing; try his signature tuna tartare with avocado, radish, and a ginger marinade and you’ll be reminded what the fuss is about.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The protests began last week with economic grievances as the Iranian currency, the rial, tanked.—
Henry Austin,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This is upsetting Strasbourg’s supporters, and their grievances are multi-pronged.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While the result of the game ended on a whimper for the home team — Florida lost 5-1 as the New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad scored a hat trick and Artemi Panarin logged two goals of his own — the night itself was a rousing success.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Jan. 2026
-
But a religious savant’s preparations to be mummified occur against the backdrop of food shortages, riots, and a communications blackout from the rest of the Imperial Radch… which sounds like Ooioiaa going out with more of a bang than a whimper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whine. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share