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

That admission led to gasps and whimpering by several courtroom observers. — Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 11 June 2026

Arms flew around in exasperation, and the woman left the table for such a long time that the large dog lying at their feet sat up and whimpered in the direction of her departure. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

Noun

From the bottom of a 15-foot well came the sound of a whimper. — Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 8 July 2026

The contrast with one of his predecessors, Roberto Martinez — who maddeningly stuck to Plan A and saw Portugal limp out of the tournament with a whimper a few hours earlier in the day — was not lost on Belgium’s followers. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 July 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