whimper 1 of 2

noun

Definition of whimpernext
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whimper

2 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wim-pər How to pronounce whimper (audio)
1
as in to cry
to utter feeble plaintive cries the dog whimpered to be let in

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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

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
Noun
Espaillat faces uptown fight of his life Espaillat has won reelection five times with barely a whimper of opposition in the district stretching from Harlem to Inwood and a slice of the Bronx. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026 After season two ended on a whimper and the long wait for season three, there’s been a lot of anticipation for this premiere. — The Editors, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Verb
The three added their flowers to the memorial and embraced each other as Annie Guthrie appeared to softly whimper. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Mar. 2026 Only this version of Slattery is a whimpering scaredy-cat, who unleashes the beast within at a key moment in the film. — Brent Lang, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
  1. whine
  2. cry
  3. complain
  4. moan
  5. sob
  6. scream
  7. complaint
  8. bleat
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • At one point, Celeste’s mother started to cry while her father cast his eyes down.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Rivas Hernandez’s mother began crying and her father looked down as the detective began describing the images.
    — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • There’s no flexibility on some SBA changes businesses have complained about.
    — John Schroyer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Not that any those guys will complain about punching the timecard.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.
    — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
  • Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • The video showed the dad of two singing the lyrics to the track, with many commenting that the upload gave them goosebumps and left them sobbing.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Kelly, typically a non-demonstrative engineer, retreated to the airplane bathroom and sobbed.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of sob
Verb
  • The shooting of Fuentes Zambrano cannot be seen on the footage, but a woman’s screams and four additional shots can be heard, per the complaint.
    — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • The key is to train the mind to relax, just chill, even though somebody’s at the doorbell, even though somebody’s walking into the kitchen, little kids screaming through the house.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • That evening, Beretti underwent emergency surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach to treat a serious streptococcus infection, according to her complaint.
    — Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • The complaint also states that the scientists lacked the appropriate documents.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of complaint
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
  • Some affiliated with Tottenham’s immediate rivals may bleat about the integrity of the league, upset that Villa played a shadow side against a team who desperately needed the win, but that feels pointless.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Definition of bleat

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Cite this Entry

“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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