as in to whimper
to complain or cry in an annoying way
The child sniveled until he got his way.
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Recent Examples of snivel
Dae-ho then pulls his blade out and slashes at Gi-hun’s arm, abandoning his sniveling demeanor to scream that Gi-hun is the one who is responsible for killing everyone.
—
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
In league with its sniveling human colleague Gabriel (Esai Morales, cackling with evil intent as if being paid by the cackle), The Entity is hacking into the world’s nuclear defense systems and taking control of the missiles, one paralyzed and panicking nation at a time.
—Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
But when Aurelius informs his son, Commodus (a sniveling Joaquin Phoenix), the latter murders his father before the decision is made public.
—Lisa De Los Reyes, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
But Sarah had only driven about a block before Jamie called to snivel out an apology.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 24 Nov. 2024
Tom Felton, who played the sniveling Slytherin in every Potter film, wrote a tribute to the actress on Instagram.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2024
Still, the war between the virtuous Autobots and the sniveling Decepticons has enough sheer weirdness to it to serve as inspiration for compelling fiction, even if Michael Bay has never managed to crack that code.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
But any hopes of a warm and fuzzy family reunion were dashed in the Season 3 finale, when Soldier Boy called Homelander weak and sniveling.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 18 July 2024
Gollum feels some guilt, finally Photo: New Line Cinema
Serkis does a fantastic job in The Two Towers bouncing back and forth between the aggressive and conniving Gollum and the needy and sniveling Smeagol as the creature grows close to Frodo but is also increasingly drawn to the One Ring.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
In league with its sniveling human colleague Gabriel (Esai Morales, cackling with evil intent as if being paid by the cackle), The Entity is hacking into the world’s nuclear defense systems and taking control of the missiles, one paralyzed and panicking nation at a time.
—Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
But when Aurelius informs his son, Commodus (a sniveling Joaquin Phoenix), the latter murders his father before the decision is made public.
—Lisa De Los Reyes, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
But Sarah had only driven about a block before Jamie called to snivel out an apology.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 24 Nov. 2024
Tom Felton, who played the sniveling Slytherin in every Potter film, wrote a tribute to the actress on Instagram.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2024
Still, the war between the virtuous Autobots and the sniveling Decepticons has enough sheer weirdness to it to serve as inspiration for compelling fiction, even if Michael Bay has never managed to crack that code.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
But any hopes of a warm and fuzzy family reunion were dashed in the Season 3 finale, when Soldier Boy called Homelander weak and sniveling.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 18 July 2024
Gollum feels some guilt, finally Photo: New Line Cinema
Serkis does a fantastic job in The Two Towers bouncing back and forth between the aggressive and conniving Gollum and the needy and sniveling Smeagol as the creature grows close to Frodo but is also increasingly drawn to the One Ring.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snivel
Verb
-
In the ward of whimpering children, Susan Martine from South Sudan cares for her 2-year-old daughter, who has sores after swelling caused by severe malnutrition.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
-
In the ward of whimpering children, Susan Martine from South Sudan cares for her 2-year-old daughter, who has been diagnosed with severe malnutrition.—
Evelyne Musambi,
Christian Science Monitor,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The older versions of their characters are played to a full-on sobbing effect by James Garner and Gena Rowlands.—
Lia Beck,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
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When a video emerged of him sobbing in his locker room stall after coming agonizingly close to winning the title a year ago, his entire native nation commiserated with his pain.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
17 June 2025
Verb
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With screaming, crying, and crash outs abound, Madix’s high pony mirrored her demeanor: commanding, polished, and captivating.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
23 June 2025
-
When the curtain is lifted, Matthew is crying, and Andreas is beaming.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
22 June 2025
Verb
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Shildt is terrible for the Padres — the last thing that group of guys needs is someone encouraging their wild mood swings between whining and macho antics.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to ‘stop whining’ and get to work Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the approach of President Trump’s administration.—
Andre Garron,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
There’s no point moaning without offering some kind of solution.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
-
Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Erik Windsor said fire crews removed a manhole cover in the general area of the storm drain opening, inserted a powerful listening device and heard moaning.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The last thing the Mets needed was another injury to a starting pitcher, so when Griffin Canning came off the mound, grabbing his left ankle in the third inning, the Citi Field crowd collectively groaned.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2025
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The all-plastic body doesn’t creak or groan, and the display lid allows surprisingly little flex for a budget laptop.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Snivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snivel. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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