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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
  • When the curtain went up, Valencia spent the first several minutes overcome by emotion, glassy-eyed and weeping.
    — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Bubbling Jam Jam that’s bubbling or weeping liquid could be fermenting.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 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
  • Family and friends sat on long benches, some sobbing as screens displayed photos of Salgado Araujo.
    — Albinson Linares, NBC news, 17 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of sobbing
Verb
  • Still, to Sandy, Joe’s whining is no reason to write him off altogether.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • And everyone stop whining to their mom about the other one – or in this case, a federal judge.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of whining
Adjective
  • Call me sentimental, but an epiphany at a table can linger for a long time.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Over the 28 years since its release, the original Practical Magic, despite its dismal reviews and middling box-office reception, has accrued a sentimental affection from fans.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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