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
Kate Siber, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025
As to the kids’ responses, the more genial Olmo is not above whining, while parental demands usually provoke flat-out insolence from Ana, who breathes cigarette smoke like dragon fire.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Families fall asleep to the thump of nearby airstrikes and the constant whine of an Israeli drone overhead.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for whine
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.
Verb
One day, the sky was grey, wind blew up my pant legs, giant construction machines whined loudly down the street, and a neighbor’s windchimes unleashed a flurry of complaints.
—Kate Siber, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025
As to the kids’ responses, the more genial Olmo is not above whining, while parental demands usually provoke flat-out insolence from Ana, who breathes cigarette smoke like dragon fire.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
Fritz revved the engine, a desperate, needling whine, and the vessel lurched down the airstrip, the chute billowing awake behind him.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Families fall asleep to the thump of nearby airstrikes and the constant whine of an Israeli drone overhead.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for whine
Cite this Entry
“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whine. Accessed 15 Mar. 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-
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share