whinny 1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wi-nē How to pronounce whinny (audio)
Definition of whinnynext
as in to neigh
to make the cry typical of a horse the father whinnied and reared as his young daughter pretended to ride him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

whinny

2 of 2

noun

as in screech

Related Words

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 whinny
Verb
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth is one of the oldest proverbs known to humankind, whinnying back at least 1,500 years. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2024 That doesn’t include food for the horses, who start whinnying. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
The whinny is produced by two simultaneous sounds, known as biphonation. — Liz Neporent, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026 The offseason came and went with little more than a few contract whinnies from Bronco ringleaders. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for whinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whinny
  1. neigh
  2. screech
  3. nicker
  4. squeal
  5. bleat
  6. squawk
  7. bray
  8. roar
Verb
  • The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • As such, the distinct sound that people hear when a horse neighs or whinnies is likely the animal relaying various independent messages or emotions at once, the study says.
    — Kate Perez, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of neigh
Noun
  • The screech of guitar feedback echoed from a makeshift stage outside, where a punk-rock band had just launched into their set, a fitting accompaniment to the bar’s kaleidoscopic selection of beer.
    — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • La Vierge de Fer contrasts the delicate fruit and a lily note with the screech of cold metal, sparkling aldehydes, and lilting sandalwood.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of screech
Verb
  • Waffles, patient and unbothered as onlookers walked around and stopped to gaze, nickered as another horse on the other side of the massive stalls whinnied.
    — Chris Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of nicker
Noun
  • Witness Hoon Chan Sim, 53, was sitting on a park lawn with his dog near West Drive when he was startled by the squeal of braking tires, and spun around to see the horrific collision.
    — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • From the pig trailer came a bang, followed by a muffled squeal.
    — Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
Definition of squeal
Noun
  • On the southern end of the loop, check out the interactive Bison Center to feel hides, hear the creatures’ varied grunts and bleats, and learn about the park’s efforts to sustainably maintain the herd.
    — Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The real money to be made from the president’s online bleats isn’t in knowing what the US government is going to do.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleat
Noun
  • For aviation geeks or those who simply want to keep track of their plane’s unique flying data and route, squawk codes can be tracked on apps and websites like Flightradar24 and Flight Beacon.
    — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
  • Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Definition of squawk
Noun
  • Timbaland’s eerie, minimalist production — stuttering beat patterns, yawning silences between drum hits, synth riffs that bray and heave — was the ideal vehicle for Elliott’s slaloming, heavily syncopated raps.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • My father mistakes it for the verb to bray, like a donkey.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of bray
Noun
  • If the come-from-behind victory and the roar of more than 45,000 fans on Saturday afternoon were any indication, Anderson’s arrival could portend great things is Seattle for the rest of this season, and for many more to come.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The absurdities and tragedies of daily life in dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu’s Romania roar from the page in Oana Aristide’s irresistible debut.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of roar

Browse Nearby Words

whinnies
whinny
whinnying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whinny. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All