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

In a large tent, veterinarians and volunteers work together to place an IV into the leg of a small, whimpering puppy. —Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025

But Dahlia does not whimper or cry like Constance wants. —Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Dec. 2025

Noun

While the result of the game ended on a whimper for the home team — Florida lost 5-1 as the New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad scored a hat trick and Artemi Panarin logged two goals of his own — the night itself was a rousing success. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026

But a religious savant’s preparations to be mummified occur against the backdrop of food shortages, riots, and a communications blackout from the rest of the Imperial Radch… which sounds like Ooioiaa going out with more of a bang than a whimper. —Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 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