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

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

The Wolverines whimpered to an 11-point loss against the Sooners but otherwise looked good in wider wins over New Mexico (34-17) and Central Michigan (63-3). —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

But after that leadoff bang, the Red Sox whimpered through the next four innings. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025

Noun

Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof. —Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025

The American spirits industry’s roaring ’20s has turned to a whimper. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1700, 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