sniveling 1 of 3

adjective

as in crying

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sniveling

2 of 3

noun

as in weeping

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sniveling

3 of 3

verb

variants or snivelling
present participle of snivel
as in whimpering
to complain or cry in an annoying way The child sniveled until he got his way.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sniveling
Noun
Bruce Springsteen was speaking truth to power when the titans of industry were caving and sniveling. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Odyssey also features the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron) and Penelope’s sniveling suitor, Antinous (Robert Pattinson), who is seeking to marry the queen and become the ruler of Ithaca. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026 But Flynn also oozes sniveling self-righteousness while hotly defending and petitioning for childhood innocence (amusing hints emerge that the daughter is a somewhat lazy and dim underachiever). — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026 Faced with the sniveling sum of these failures, Garfield is startled but compassionate. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025 Throughout many revealing conversations, the braggadocious zeal of Poseidon and Zeus, the sexy aloofness of Aphrodite and Dionysus, and the sniveling bitchery of Hermes and Hypnos were endearing, but all gave way to flawed people who grew deeply over time. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful. — Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniveling
  1. crying
  2. weeping
  3. whimpering
  4. wailing
  5. sobbing
  6. whining
  7. sentimental
  8. sniffling
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Noun
  • The latter was the leader of a failed uprising against the ruling Elizabeth 1, and the weeping stag was often used as a symbol adopted by the Earl’s supporters.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
  • Kimiya was closest, sprawled across the floor weeping, debris swirling around her.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of weeping
Verb
  • That admission led to gasps and whimpering by several courtroom observers.
    — Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 11 June 2026
  • As the timer passed seven minutes, Steve Eckert exhorted a whimpering young man to dunk his head underwater.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of whimpering
Adjective
  • Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of wailing
Noun
  • Homeland Security posted the original image of Armstrong’s arrest with another image being posted shortly after from the White House showing her sobbing.
    — Tevon Blair, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Then, in the first quarter, Haliburton fell to the court just beyond the three, banging his fist and sobbing.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Definition of sobbing
Verb
  • No whining about measly travel headaches with the mother of all bad-trip sagas looming on the big screen.
    — Alex Pulaski, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • All this whining about online hate and fans being mean and blah, blah, blah.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of whining
Adjective
  • There’s too much family trauma to make this a sentimental reunion.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • In astrology, Cancer is known for its deeply protective instincts, sentimental nature and emotional attachment to memory.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of sentimental
Adjective
  • All the readers are sneezing, sniffling, congested, feverish, or hacking up a lung.
    — Blythe Roberson, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
  • Then coughing, sniffling and full-on congestion, with or without fever, for a few insufferable days.
    — Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
Definition of sniffling

Browse Nearby Words

snivelers
sniveling
snivels
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Cite this Entry

“Sniveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniveling. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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