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Complain vs Whine - What's the difference?

complain | whine | Synonyms |

Whine is a synonym of complain.



In intransitive terms the difference between complain and whine

is that complain is to make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge while whine is to move with a whining sound.

As a noun whine is

a long-drawn, high-pitched complaining cry or sound.

complain

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
  • Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
  • * Milton
  • O loss of sight, of thee I most complain !
  • To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
  • They've complained about me to the police again.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?
  • To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
  • the complaining bed-springs

    Synonyms

    * grumble * grouse * grump * bitch * beef * gripe * whine * kvetch * moan * whinge * See also

    whine

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a long-drawn, high-pitched complaining cry or sound
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=June 26 , author=Genevieve Koski , title=Music: Reviews: Justin Bieber: Believe , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=The 18-year-old Bieber can’t quite pull off the “adult” thing just yet: His voice may have dropped a bit since the days of “Baby,” but it still mostly registers as “angelic,” and veers toward a pubescent whine at times. }}
  • a complaint or criticism
  • Verb

    (whin)
  • To utter a high-pitched cry.
  • To make a sound resembling such a cry.
  • The jet engines whined at take off.
  • To complain or protest with a whine or as if with a whine.
  • To move with a whining sound.
  • The jet whined into the air.
  • To utter with the sound of a whine.
  • The child whined all his complaints.
    Kelly Queen was whining that the boss made him put on his tie.

    Synonyms

    * See also