whined; whining

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

: to utter or express with or as if with a whine
whiner noun

whine

2 of 2

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Now, De Niro plays him by imitating Pesci’s nasal, wiseguy whine and adopting the cagey posture of a lifelong predator. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025 Canines may growl, whine, snap, or attack another pet or person that is getting in the way between the two of you. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English hwīnan to whiz; akin to Old Norse hvīna to whiz

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of whine was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whine. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

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 noun
1
: a whining cry or sound
2
: a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine
whiny
ˈhwi-nē
ˈwī-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on whine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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