whimper

1 of 2

verb

whim·​per ˈ(h)wim-pər 

whimpered; whimpering ˈ(h)wim-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

whimper

2 of 2

noun

1

: a whimpering cry or sound

2

: a petulant complaint or protest

the bill passed without a whimper

Synonyms of whimper

Verb

• cry
• sob
• moan
• bleat
• mewl

Noun

• whine
• moan
• complaint
• fuss

Examples of whimper in a Sentence

Verb

I could hear the puppy whimpering.

She whimpered about having to get up early.

“Where are you going?” she whimpered.

Noun

I could hear the puppy's whimpers.

patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And then the child began to whimper, slowly waking from her sleep. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Pancho, a heavy-bodied Airedale, whimpered and rubbed against my leg with the expectation of excitement to come. — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026

Noun

But with backup quarterback Drew Lock in the game, Seattle made only a half-hearted attempt at moving the ball downfield, and instead the second quarter ended with a whimper. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

The college football season started off with a bit of a whimper. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing whimper

• without a whimper

Kids Definition

whimper

1 of 2 verb

whim·​per ˈhwim-pər 

ˈwim-

whimpered; whimpering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to utter weak interrupted cries

whimpered in pain

whimper

2 of 2 noun

: a whimpering cry