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
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
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
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
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snivel
Verb
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But after that leadoff bang, the Red Sox whimpered through the next four innings.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 July 2025
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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
Verb
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The camera cuts between Dennis, who’s sobbing, and Roman, who’s horrified, processing Dennis’ betrayal.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Multiple videos show kids sobbing over losing their brain rot character.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Colman recalled crying on the set of the BBC's TV adaptation of Les Misérables after a scene in which her character hits a child.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
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In episode 3, which came out in April, Howard’s character cries when Seth Rogen’s studio head character gives him a difficult piece of feedback, resulting in Howard angrily throwing his signature baseball cap at him.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In lesser hands, such a question, especially from a young white male who plays guitar for a living, could come off as whining.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
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And since then, his crying and whining have increased.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Julia says, dropping to all fours and moaning amid a pile of straw on the floor.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ellis could be heard moaning and could be seen lying on the ground.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fans groaned as a deep fly ball pulled just foul into the outfield seats.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Now, thrift stores and clothing markets from Bulgaria to the Czech Republic are groaning with castoffs.—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Snivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snivel. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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