WHINES Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

whines 1 of 2

noun

plural of whine

as in moans

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be

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whines

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of whine

as in complains

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely for the whole of our vacation, the kids whined on and on about the weather

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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 whines

Verb

At one point, when Reagan suggests sharing missile-defense technology, Gorbachev stands up and whines about how America will not even share dairy technology so that the Soviets can provide milk to their children. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 Jessie whines about the good old days all the time — how fun is that? — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 Aronimink put the world’s best golfers in a vice this week and squeezed the whines right out of them. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 May 2026 The caterer’s dead daughter, Marketa, is sung by Vilma Jää, an ethno-pop performer whose forays into Finnish folk techniques have her slinging her voice up into thrillingly high engine-whines. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whines

Noun

Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.

— Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.

— Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

Definition of moans

Verb

Changes in Water Pressure Ragsdale’s antenna immediately goes up when a homeowner complains about low water pressure.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Shannon basically complains so much that Jenn, a sweet baby angel straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie, offers to change rooms with her.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of complains

Noun

Latinos Aventureros Co-Founder Sandra Salazar said complaints about trash at Wilson Creek since Hurricane Helene created friction in the area.

— Lily Knoepp, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
In lieu of bigger changes that could reduce noise complaints, many hotels now routinely hand out earplugs and eye masks.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of complaints

Verb

Brighton’s squad was fashioned in his image, and while new head coach Arturo Ruiz impressed during his time at Real Sociedad, getting to grips with a brand new team so close to the season’s beginning screams teething problems.

— Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of screams

Noun

The other main track of Diamanda’s career is her interpretations of old standards, Gospel songs, laments, and folk tunes.

— Matt Thompson, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026
Her laments are now laced with fury, as genocidal wars and murderous technologies join global warming in the twenty-first century’s third decade.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of laments

Noun

At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Earlier this month, a Gardena police officer responded to a report that there were whimpers and cries coming from a self-compacting trash can outside a church.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026

Definition of whimpers

Noun

Food price spikes can also exacerbate grievances and lead to riots that destabilize governments; anger over hunger, for example, set the conditions for the Arab Spring protests.

— Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
But online, snippets of the Ontario fire videos are being shared, fueling grievances over the growing cost of living and stagnant wages.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of grievances

Noun

Overall, though, the extent of unhappiness over pricing appears to be relatively mixed, with most clubs’ supporters’ trusts and groups having more limited grumbles.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Nick Loftin then doubled in the third before Caglianone hit his 21st homer of the season to right, smashing a hanging slider for a 410-foot shot that induced grumbles from the stands.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of grumbles

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whiners

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“Whines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whines. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of whines

noun

verb

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