as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cry
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the dog whimpered to be let in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
a good-hearted person, but given to whimpering about trifles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 whimper
New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
In a large tent, veterinarians and volunteers work together to place an IV into the leg of a small, whimpering puppy.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Noun
In this context, the Atlas II arrived with a whimper rather than a crash.
—New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the video, my dog Leo whimpers at the sound of whistles.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
In a large tent, veterinarians and volunteers work together to place an IV into the leg of a small, whimpering puppy.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
Noun
-
Test recordings sounded clear and full, and the noise cancellation completely blocked out the buzz and whine of my 3D printer.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
14 June 2026
-
Lee's voice has always been Sui generis, a distinctive instrument caught between a whine and a yelp yet immediately recognizable.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Especially Melanie, who was crying her foundation off before the vote was even announced.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
13 June 2026
-
His wife, Alicia Brown, posted a video on her verified Instagram page Sunday where she is seen crying while revealing what appears to be multiple stitches above and below her left eyebrow.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Plus, who can complain when the gorgeous Block Island — which, unlike Rhode Island, is actually an island — is described as New England’s Caribbean?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
-
Where my world was hemmed in by ridgelines and holler roads, Mary Lennox’s world was hemmed in by fog and wind and the low moan of a manor house that seemed to breathe on its own.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her endless screams and sobs echo back to the agonized wailing of The Mist’s David Drayton, who murdered his child and friends for nothing.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
As Pino sobbed and shook, one of his daughters sat next to him, and Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez requested that the jury be removed from the courtroom.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The keeper could do nothing but flail and then turn and scream in frustration at his defense’s failings at the crucial moment.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Elena called for Harold, who ran out in his boxers — both men screamed at each other and threatened to call the cops.—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The plot unraveled on June 11 when Proper's mother went to police with concerns about her son's behavior online, recent firearms purchases and plans to travel, according to a criminal complaint.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
The Patriots claim that Foxborough improperly charged them approximately $1 million in new administrative fees when, according to the complaint, the town only has state authorization to charge up to $100 per year to renew stadium entertainment licenses.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
However, the animals did survive and seemed set on helping their family survive too, repeatedly bleating and stomping on the debris covering the bunker.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
-
Players started bleating, serenading James with sounds deserving of the GOAT — greatest of all time.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
