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Definitions

whining

[wahy-ning, hwahy-] / ˈwaɪ nɪŋ, ˈʰwaɪ- /
ADJECTIVE
carping
Synonyms
STRONG
bellyaching caviling criticizing disparaging griping grousing grumbling kvetching moaning nagging niggling quibbling
WEAK
censorious critical deprecatory fault-finding grouchy hypercritical nit-picking overcritical scathing
Antonyms
WEAK
complimentary forgiving
ADJECTIVE
complaining
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grumbling protesting
STRONG
accusing bellyaching bewailing charging deploring disapproving discontented dissenting fretting lamenting moaning mourning murmuring regretting repining weeping
WEAK
critical malcontent peevish querulous resentful
Antonyms
WEAK
appreciating enjoying praising
ADJECTIVE
peevish
Synonyms
WEAK
acrimonious angry bad-tempered cantankerous captious carping caviling childish churlish complaining crabbed cranky critical cross crotchety crusty cussed fault-finding fractious fretful fretting grouchy grousing growling grumpy huffy ill-natured mean morose obstinate ogre ornery out-of-sorts pertinacious petulant querulous short-tempered snappy splenetic sulky sullen surly tetchy touchy ugly waspish waspy
Antonyms
WEAK
accepting friendly happy pleasant
ADJECTIVE
petulant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cranky fractious impatient irritable perverse sullen testy whiny
WEAK
bad-tempered captious caviling complaining cross crybaby displeased fault-finding fretful grouchy grumbling huffy ill-humored mean peevish pouting querulous snappish sour sulky touchy ungracious uptight waspish
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable cheerful happy nice patient willing
WEAK
good-natured pleasant
ADJECTIVE
querulous
Synonyms
WEAK
bearish bemoaning cantankerous captious carping censorious complaining critical cross crying deploring discontented dissatisfied edgy fault-finding fretful grousing grumbling grumbly huffy irritable lamenting out of sorts peevish petulant plaintive scrappy snappy sour testy thin-skinned touchy uptight wailing waspish waspy whimpering whiny
Antonyms
WEAK
cheerful easygoing happy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That said, my siblings and I got tired of the whining and agreed that she would only have to pay the lesser of $3 million or the appraised price of the house.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026

Viorst, who scolds herself and peers for whining too much, says life is too short for hurt feelings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025

The fact that you are whining about the spotlight being turned on one of your reporters proves you’re nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.”

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2025

Would you prefer for your team to be owned by someone whining about the Dodgers and their payroll, or someone dedicated to beating them?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

This morning, he does not blow air out of the side of his mouth at her whining.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti