Antonyms for keening

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : kee-ning

Phonetic Transcription : ˈki nɪŋ

Definition of keening

Origin : c.1200, from Old English cene "bold brave," later "clever, wise," from Proto-Germanic *kan- "be able to" (see can). Original prehistoric senses seem to have been both "brave" and "skilled;" cognate with Old Norse kænn "skillful, wise," Middle Dutch coene "bold," Dutch koen, Old High German kuon "pugnacious, strong," German kühn "bold, daring." Sense of "eager" is from mid-14c. The meaning "sharp" is peculiar to English: of blades and edges early 13c., of sounds c.1400, of eyesight c.1720. A popular word of approval in teenager and student slang from c.1900.

As in lament/lamentation : noun grief, complaint
As in mourning : noun sadness, time of sadness
As in sobbing : noun cry
As in wailing : noun cry
As in cry : noun weeping and making sad sounds
As in howl : noun long, painful cry
As in moan : verb groan, complain
As in mourn : verb be sad over loss
As in wail : verb cry loudly
As in weep : verb cry
As in ululate : verb howl
As in cry : verb weep and make sad sounds
As in grieve : verb mourn, feel deep distress
As in groan : verb moan, complain

Example sentences :

The women are keening softly and swaying themselves with a slow movement.
Extract from : « Riders to the Sea » by J. M. Synge

It rose and fell, rose and fell, then died away like the keening of a lost soul.
Extract from : « The End of Time » by Wallace West

The room was filled with the keening staccato of the alien transmission.
Extract from : « Greylorn » by John Keith Laumer

The huge brain was alert now, with a supernal sense of keening.
Extract from : « Walls of Acid » by Henry Hasse

Keening in from the lake, the wind made him stagger backwards.
Extract from : « The Spell of the White Sturgeon » by James Arthur Kjelgaard

The natives stopped their keening, and made room for the two men.
Extract from : « Feet Of Clay » by Phillip Hoskins

There was a keening of wind, and a cracking of the frozen ground.
Extract from : « The Planet with No Nightmare » by Jim Harmon

She is opening her letters and "keening" softly as she rocks in her chair.
Extract from : « Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 159, August 4th, 1920 » by Various

The very wind had forsaken them, and gone off keening into the far distance.
Extract from : « Strangers at Lisconnel » by Barlow Jane

The news came to Bodb Dearg's place, and all the people gave out three loud, high cries, keening their nursling.
Extract from : « Gods and Fighting Men » by Lady I. A. Gregory

Synonyms for keening

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019