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whinge

whinge

1 8.1
A small, annoying complaint about something minor
  • noun
  • /wɪndʒ/
  • UK
: queja
  • Her constant whinge about the weather was starting to annoy everyone in the office.

And then the whinge and whine when a bow gets turned over.

Examples

  • As has been amply shown in this thread, whinge and whine are taking on similar but distinct definitions, allowing for finer gradations of meaning.

    Blog text (11)
  • My experience of the word "whinge" here in Australia is that it is used to complain in an annoying way about usually trivial matters.

    Blog text (11)
  • I think a lot of people sort of did see the the whinging brummy sort of caricature of him.

  • After he made a small whinge about the noise, his friends decided to turn the music down.

  • The teacher listened patiently to the student's whinge about having too much homework.

Synonyms

gripe
vswhinge
  • Informal
25 6.5

A complaint about a small problem that bothers you

is more petty and irritating rather than simply informal
whimper
vswhinge
24 3.7

A low, soft cry showing pain or sadness

is used for petty annoying complaints rather than weak sad sounds
whine
vswhinge
  • Informal
20 3.0

A high, annoying complaint

is used for petty annoying complaints rather than only a high sound
grumbling
vswhinge
10 3.2

A quiet complaint that shows someone is unhappy

is more about petty annoyance rather than quiet muttered dissatisfaction
grumble
vswhinge
6 3.4

A quiet complaint about something you dislike

is more openly petty and annoying rather than low and muttered
murmuring
vswhinge
1 5.9

A quiet complaint said softly by people who disagree

is more direct petty annoyance rather than soft low remarks
grutch
vswhinge
  • Informal
1 9.9

A small spoken complaint said quietly

is more petty and often annoying rather than just small spoken complaint
1 4.5

A low sound people make when they feel annoyed or disappointed

is used for petty annoying complaints rather than a low nonverbal sound
puling
vswhinge
  • Archaic
9.9

A weak, thin cry that sounds like whining

is used for petty annoying complaints rather than weak cries of distress

Antonyms

501 1.0

A happy event such as a party that marks a special occasion or achievement

26 2.1

A feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life

How Complaining

tirade
24 7.7
rant
  • Informal
92 5.1
whinge
  • UK
1 8.1
complaint
718 1.4
grumble
6 3.4

Surface Forms

whinge singular
whinges plural
whines plural
whine singular

Etymology

Whinge comes from the same idea as whine, the long unhappy sound. A helpful way to remember it is to think of that small, annoying 'whine'—so a whinge is a petty or repeated complaint.