whine
High-pitched grumbling sound
A whine is a high-pitched, drawn-out sound expressing complaint, distress, or pleading.
Dogs whine at the door; children whine for treats.
The verb means to make this sound or to complain in a petulant, self-pitying way: Stop whining and do your homework.
Engines and machinery also whine—a thin, sustained pitch suggesting strain.
The word carries connotations of weakness or annoyance; nobody respects a whiner.
Quiet, plaintive cry
Brief, shrill cry
- whimperQuiet, plaintive cry
- cryVocal expression of emotion
- howlProlonged mournful cry
- yipShort, sharp bark
bark · keen · mewl · anxious · distressed · pitiful · needy · puppy
Low, discontented murmuring
- moanLow vocal complaint
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- grouseFowl or fuss
- gripeVoice minor displeasure
bellyache · protest · objection · criticism · discontent · carping · nitpicking · quibble
Uncontrolled display of frustration
- poutSulky facial expression
- whimperQuiet, plaintive cry
- fretAgitation or fingerboard guide
- sulkBrood in silence
snivel · cranky · fussy · peevish · querulous · petulant · irritable · testy
Unmanned flying machine
high-pitched · motor · turbine · transmission · gear · mechanical · spooling · powertrain
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
cry · yelp · mewl · squeal · yowl · howl · bleat · snivel · drone · buzz
yelp
Brief, shrill cry
yip · bark · keen · mewl · anxious · distressed · pitiful · needy · puppy · canine
grumble
Low, discontented murmuring
gripe · bellyache · protest · objection · criticism · discontent · carping · nitpicking · quibble · cavil
tantrum
Uncontrolled display of frustration
sulk · snivel · cranky · fussy · peevish · querulous · petulant · irritable · testy · childish
drone
Unmanned flying machine
idle · high-pitched · motor · turbine · transmission · gear · mechanical · spooling · powertrain
beg
Ask with desperation
cajole · nag · pester · beseech · supplicate · appeal · coax · badger · importune · grovel
- complaintscomplaint, complain, complaints, complaint form, complaint letter
- criescry, scream, shout, yell, wail
- gripingcomplaining, grumbling, griping, grousing, kvetching
- harsh soundsscreech, shriek, squawk, squeal, grate
- high-pitched soundssqueak, squeal, shriek, screech, shrill
- vocalizationsspeak, speaking, talking, whisper, shout