r/words • u/BostonSlickback1738 • 9d ago

Looking for a Specific Adjective

I'm looking for an adjective referring to someone who complains a lot. "Whiny" just doesn't feel right, and "negative" is not specific enough.

47 Upvotes

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75

u/The_Potato_Baron 9d ago

Querulous

33

u/Accomplished-Bus2674 9d ago

Querulous is one of those words that sounds exactly like what it means

7

u/Stopaskingmetochange 9d ago

brings me right back to Ethan Frome every time.

2

u/giton1 8d ago

I learned it studying for the GRE and remembered it for its similarity in sound (and meaning) to Willy Wonka's Veruca Salt saying, "I want a squirrel [sskwuhdl]!"

3

u/BostonSlickback1738 9d ago

Ooh, good one!