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View synonyms for

whiny

or ɳ󾱲·

[ hwahy-nee, wahy- ]

adjective

whinier, whiniest.
  1. complaining; fretful; cranky:

    The baby is whiny because he missed his nap.



whiny

/ ˈɲɪɪ /

adjective

  1. high-pitched and plaintive
  2. peevish; complaining
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ɳ󾱲i·Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of whiny1

First recorded in 1850–55; whine + -y 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And we are asked to see the "vulnerable" as a small number of whiny people on death’s door anyway.

From

We can already see the first inklings of how the liberal refusal to submit is frustrating the right and making them even more whiny than usual.

From

The main tone of the videos is whiny, as the hosts complain endlessly that career federal employees look down on them.

From

But even when he was attacking, Reagan came across as upbeat and positive, directly opposite of the whiny, doomsday tone of Trump.

From

“Guys don’t make passes at whiny women who think Jeopardy! clues are ‘problematic,’ ” yet another wrote.

From

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More About Whiny

doeswhiny mean?

Whiny is an adjective describing someone who is complaining in an annoying way, especially in a high-pitched tone of voice.

To whine is to moan or make a high-pitched cry, or to say something in such a way. It also means to complain, especially by talking in such a way. Whiny is always used negatively to criticize such behavior. It can be used to describe a person or their words or actions. It is also spelled whiney.

Example: People might help you with your problems if you weren’t so whiny about them.

Where doesɳ󾱲Բcome from?

The first records of the word whiny come from the 1850s. It is a combination of whine and the suffix y, which is used to turn it into an adjective. Whine is much older and is based on the Old English īԲ, which is related to the Old Norse īԲ, meaning “to scream.”

But whining is not screaming, and being whiny isn’t the same as throwing a tantrum—it’s much more low-key. When we describe someone as whiny, we usually mean that they’re currently complaining in an annoying way (especially by drawing out their words or speaking in a high-pitched tone), or that they’re constantly complaining (which is also annoying). It’s always negative—there are no good ways to be whiny.

Children are described as whiny when they moan and complain about not getting their way. Of course, adults can be whiny, too. They may be less likely to speak in the whiny way that children sometimes do, but they can be called whiny if they constantly gripe about things (especially if they don’t do anything to try solve their problems).

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms related to whiny?

  • whiney (alternate spelling)
  • whinier (adjective, comparative degree)
  • whiniest (adjective, superlative degree)
  • whininess (noun)

are some synonyms for whiny?

are some words that share a root or word element with whiny?

are some words that often get used in discussing whiny?

How iswhiny used in real life?

Whiny is always used negatively. It is often applied to people who are thought to complain too much.

Try usingwhiny!

Which of the following words is a synonym for whiny?

A. pouty
B. cheerful
C. calm
D. pleasant

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