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
And this council is ending with neither a bang nor a whimper. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 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
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
  • And not be distracted by whether or not Ed Sheeran is crying today or crying tomorrow.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The sun set on a successful first day at Aftershock on Thursday night as My Chemical Romance made everyone cry with a single piano note.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Journalists have complained that the lucrative and high-profile show is not subject to The Atlantic’s editorial rules, input, or oversight — yet a casual listener could easily take it for an Atlantic editorial product.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kelker-Kelly reportedly had complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive, and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event, police said.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • Lori can hardly speak, relying on a young nurse who sits at her side to translate her low, pained moans.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.
    — Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Verb
  • Five players and the referee tried to catch it, Steph recalled, while its owner sobbed on the sidelines.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Images of an angry and sobbing Brown became the media’s hallmark of grief during the criminal trial, particularly when Simpson was acquitted in 1995.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sob
Verb
  • Set the scene The Homestead screams quirky, artful, and vintage yet restored—capturing a whimsical, fairytale ambiance embellished with hints of Southern charm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In reviewing the body camera footage, police found that the child was standing on the stairwell at one point and was screaming while holding her left arm up in the air, according to the warrant affidavit.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • As for his SpaceX funds, Meyer told investors in 2021 that a large purchase in SpaceX assets had closed even though the third-party fund that held the shares wouldn’t approve the transfer, the complaint states.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2020 lawsuit, Dougan alleged he was retaliated against after an investigation was conducted into a complaint of gender discrimination that originated in the Fire Department’s Communications Center.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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