What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
complainer
Example
She's always been a complainer, never satisfied with anything. [complainer: noun]
Example
He spent the whole meeting complaining about the new policy. [complaining: gerund or present participle]
whiner
Example
Stop being such a whiner and deal with your problems like an adult. [whiner: noun]
Example
She whined about the food being too spicy, even though she ordered it that way. [whined: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Complainer is a more common term than whiner and is often used in everyday language. Whiner is a stronger and more judgmental term that may be used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between complainer and whiner?
Neither complainer nor whiner are particularly formal terms, but complainer is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, while whiner may be seen as more informal or even rude in some situations.
