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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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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
The extremely popular series concluded with a whimper, as many viewed the final twist as one of the all-time worst television endings. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 California’s case against Paramount landed yesterday with a whimper, not a bang. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 July 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
  • The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Sitting at the defendant’s table, Flynn scrunched up his face and appeared to be crying as the 911 call was played aloud.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • People were still crying, dancing and desperate for a nap the next day!
    — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Many advocates and lawmakers have complained that the system updates too slowly and contains too much inaccurate or missing information, allowing ICE to shield the locations of detainees for days or weeks.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • China is demanding the US ease export bans on high-tech goods, like chipmaking gear; the US bitterly complains about Chinese overproduction and transhipment.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.
    — Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On the second call, the medical alert company employee connected a local 911 call-taker to audio from the home, where the woman's moans of pain and threats by a man could be heard.
    — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • His family members hugged each other and sobbed, but still declined comment after the sentence.
    — Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The documentary includes an interview with the young man’s mother while he can be heard sobbing off camera.
    — Daniel LaChance, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of sob
Verb
  • The payoff to that trick leaves Kumail and Gianmarco screaming, first in thrilled disbelief at what Jake pulls off, then in frustration at Maria’s vote.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Williams screamed out in pain and could not carry himself off the field.
    — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • Mold, mice, dirty bathrooms, overflowing trash cans and unattended animal carcasses are just some of the complaints from teachers in Cook County School District 130—serving Blue Island, Robbins, Alsip, and Crestwood.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Later that day, Triunfel returned to the apartment and disabled a security camera that had recorded the crime, the complaint states.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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