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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whimper
Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Back-to-back 11-6 seasons ending in a wild-card whimper wasn’t what anyone who enjoyed showing up to work all season at The Bolt wanted, of course.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
Anyway, Merle whimpers for about a minute before Kyle delivers multiple kill shots.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Noun
The Hawks ended their trip out west not with a bang but with very much a whimper.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Back-to-back 11-6 seasons ending in a wild-card whimper wasn’t what anyone who enjoyed showing up to work all season at The Bolt wanted, of course.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Anyway, Merle whimpers for about a minute before Kyle delivers multiple kill shots.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In another video, Johnson picked up a second infant and held a cloth to the baby’s mouth and nose for several seconds while the child was crying.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
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Though both of them tear up, neither of them openly cries.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The large Sunbridge development is planned nearby, but there are no current residents anywhere near it to complain.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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But Kesselman said his sister had unbelievable courage and never complained.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Under Hiller, the Kings went into the Olympic break with a whimper and came out of it with a moan.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
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The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The actor Marisa Abela plays her in a binary state of panic and swagger by sobbing like a dejected child or slyly grinning like one who’s about to wolf down an ice-cream cake.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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The paramedics arrived on scene, reassuring the huddled, sobbing mess of Mom and us children that all would be okay.—
Des Moines Register,
Des Moines Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The immaculate slouchiness of this pullover screams spring in the best way, especially when paired with a denim skirt or barrel jeans.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Hallways filled with screaming kids?—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Earlier in the night, the combative progressive suggested the results would not be known until Wednesday or later after the Texas Supreme Court blocked a Dallas judge who ordered polls to stay open two extra hours after complaints from voters who were turned away.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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In late 2024, the medical board received a complaint alleging that Acacio was a daily cocaine user.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Here came Corgan, bleating a ballad that was genuinely moving, and people wanted to hear it.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
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The man sitting in front of me—rugged, with a fine Rockwell Kent profile—tips forward and begins to emit gentle, bleating snores.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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