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
Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
The Supreme Court term usually ends with a bang, not a whimper.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 16 June 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Shaken by the grisly scene, the officer donned latex gloves as Avery whimpered.
—Laura A. Bischoff, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Noun
Quiet whimpers, choked gasps and occasional prayers.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
The Supreme Court term usually ends with a bang, not a whimper.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 16 June 2025
Verb
Ezra gets the ball in his hands and, after looking back at his mom while JJ whimpers excitedly, tosses the orange ball back to the dog.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Shaken by the grisly scene, the officer donned latex gloves as Avery whimpered.
—Laura A. Bischoff, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
Noun
-
The unfiltered electric soundtrack of the Evija goes from a piercing whine to an ear-splitting shriek.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Colman recalled crying on the set of the BBC's TV adaptation of Les Misérables after a scene in which her character hits a child.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In episode 3, which came out in April, Howard’s character cries when Seth Rogen’s studio head character gives him a difficult piece of feedback, resulting in Howard angrily throwing his signature baseball cap at him.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On a StudBudz stream, Courtney Williams complained about having to share space at the team’s practice area, particularly when players and other attendees of the recreation center need to shower.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Roman complains about pain in his feet, and Dennis offers him a foot massage.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Out comes another moan, this one closer to a laugh as Brandon’s face flashes a smile.—
Scott Craven,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The camera cuts between Dennis, who’s sobbing, and Roman, who’s horrified, processing Dennis’ betrayal.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Multiple videos show kids sobbing over losing their brain rot character.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deputies arrived to the sound of screaming and found the 16-year-old Elijah Quintero on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Curtis Pleasant remembers wading through the water, chest deep, screaming and searching.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But a butt dial revealed the truth about what actually happened, the complaint alleges.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The site provides links to 14 private and government groups that accept and act on complaints, including the FBI, the Better Business Bureau, the Social Security Administration, AARP, the SEC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The right is being horrifyingly plain in bleating their bigotry, but they’re also lost in linguistic obscurities.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Her husband, Jason Halbert, was in Los Angeles on business when alerts started bleating on his phone.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share