whimper

play

verb whim·per \ ˈhwim-pər , ˈwim- \

Definition of whimper

whimpered; whimpering play \-p(ə-)riŋ\

intransitive verb

1 :to make a low whining plaintive or broken sound

2 :to complain or protest with or as if with a whimper

See whimper defined for English-language learners

See whimper defined for kids

Examples of whimper in a Sentence

I could hear the puppy whimpering.
She whimpered about having to get up early.
“Where are you going?” she whimpered.

Recent Examples of whimper from the Web

The Labrador retrievers were discovered last week by a man tending trees who heard the canines whining and whimpering, according to the County News Center.

— debbi baker, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Two dogs trapped for days rescued from Fallbrook drainage pipe," 29 Aug. 2017
Because of Dylann Roof, Felicia Sanders had been forced to play dead by lying in her dying son's blood, while holding her hand over her whimpering grandbaby's mouth.

— rachel kaadzi ghansah, GQ, "A Most American Terrorist: The Making of Dylann Roof," 21 Aug. 2017
Animals turned blue and whimpered and died, their eyes bulging and their skin covered over with frost.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Why Game of Thrones Fans Saw That Hideous Dragon Twist Coming," 20 Aug. 2017
Animals turned blue and whimpered and died, their eyes bulging and their skin covered over with frost.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Why Game of Thrones Fans Saw That Hideous Dragon Twist Coming," 20 Aug. 2017
Meanwhile, Magic, a 5-year-old beagle, whimpered a bit after Roper poked him with a needle for his rabies vaccine.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Gary Pet Fair draws four-legged crowd," 17 July 2017
A black bear had broken through the garden-level window of Zach’s tiny bedroom and was whimpering like a scared dog in the room.

— Washington Post, "Bear crashes through window of Alaska boy’s bedroom," 1 July 2017
A black bear had broken through the garden-level window of Zach’s tiny bedroom and was whimpering like a scared dog in the room.

— Washington Post, "Bear crashes through window of Alaska boy’s bedroom," 1 July 2017
A black bear had broken through the garden-level window of Zach’s tiny bedroom and was whimpering like a scared dog in the room.

— rachel d'oro, The Seattle Times, "Bear crashes through window of Alaska boy’s bedroom," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whimper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of whimper

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1513

See Words from the same year

whimper Synonyms

Synonyms

bleat, mewl, pule

Antonyms

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words

fuss, sniffle, snivel, snuffle, whine; bawl, blub [chiefly British], blubber, cry, sob, weep; peep, squeak; yelp; mumble, murmur, mutter; groan, moan, sigh

Near Antonyms

scream, screech, shriek, squeal; howl, squall, wail, yowl; call, caterwaul, squawk; bellow, roar

whimper

noun

Definition of whimper

1 :a whimpering cry or sound

2 :a petulant complaint or protest

the bill passed without a whimper

See whimper defined for English-language learners

Examples of whimper in a Sentence

I could hear the puppy's whimpers.
patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper

Recent Examples of whimper from the Web

Bowden's five-plus years as the Auburn head coach, which started with a bang and ended with a whimper.

— kevin scarbinsky, AL.com, "Tide and Tiger podcast: Terry Bowden on Jimbo Fisher, Auburn and more," 29 Aug. 2017
The expected roar of traffic Oregonians anticipated as eclipse chasers began travelling ahead of Monday's celestial event turned out to be little more than a whimper Friday.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "Light traffic Friday as Oregon readies for weekend eclipse travelers," 18 Aug. 2017
Olenna Tyrell’s goes out not with a whimper but with a bang.

— rawan eewshah, Allure, "Dames of Thrones: How the Ladies of "Game of Thrones" Were Badass in Episode 3 of Season 7," 31 July 2017
The once beloved Panda, the former Giants third baseman known for his nimble feet, soft hands, hitting proficiency and amiable personality, left with a bang and returned three years later with a whimper.

— ailene voisin, sacbee, "Is it too late for Giants to save the Panda? Clock is ticking on Sandoval’s career," 25 July 2017
SIGN UP NOW — The Trump administration's 100 days of trade talks with China ended with a whimper on Wednesday, as the two sides failed to reach a breakthrough agreement.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Big budget problems stand in way of tax overhaul," 20 July 2017
By playing in this event without a whimper of discord the strong, independent women of the LPGA implicitly endorsed his behavior.

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "Women golfers whiff at chance to take stand against Trump | Marcus Hayes," 17 July 2017
The revolution in China’s insurance industry that helped unleash about $80 billion of acquisitions started with a whimper and ended with a bang.

— Bloomberg.com, "Anbang's Fall Ends Wild Chapter in China Insurance Industry," 13 July 2017
The members of Lady Antebellum didn't return from the trio's hiatus with a whimper.

— david lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Lady Antebellum pops back into music’s spotlight," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of whimper

circa 1700

whimper Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, bitch, bleat, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, complaint, whine, whinge [British], yammer

Related Words

challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink

Near Antonyms

commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction

WHIMPER Defined for English Language Learners

whimper

play

verb

Definition of whimper for English Language Learners

: to make a quiet crying sound
: to complain in a weak or annoying way

whimper

noun

Definition of whimper for English Language Learners

: a quiet crying sound
: a mild expression of complaint or protest

WHIMPER Defined for Kids

whimper

play

verb whim·per \ ˈhwim-pər , ˈwim- \

Definition of whimper for Students

whimpered; whimpering

:to make a quiet crying sound

whimper

noun

Definition of whimper for Students

:a whining cry

Learn More about whimper

See words that rhyme with whimper Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whimper Spanish Central: Translation of whimper Nglish: Translation of whimper for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of whimper for Arabic speakers

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whimper

Definition of whimper

Examples of whimper in a Sentence

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whimper Synonyms

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WHIMPER Defined for English Language Learners

whimper

Definition of whimper for English Language Learners

whimper

Definition of whimper for English Language Learners

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Definition of whimper for Students

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