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
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
In fact, that same guy is back for seconds, and — in a failing that feels unprecedented in the history of Cameron’s filmography — his inevitable demise lands with a half-hearted whimper.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Having whimpered out of World Cup contention, a maiden goal against the two-time world champions may be sufficient consolation for an Azerbaijan side low on morale.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Noun
Bitcoin Bitcoin started the year with a bang and ended with a whimper.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
In fact, that same guy is back for seconds, and — in a failing that feels unprecedented in the history of Cameron’s filmography — his inevitable demise lands with a half-hearted whimper.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
But Dahlia does not whimper or cry like Constance wants.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Having whimpered out of World Cup contention, a maiden goal against the two-time world champions may be sufficient consolation for an Azerbaijan side low on morale.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
Noun
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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
-
Mace's widow, Kayla Brady, and his mother, Debra McCreary, quietly cried.—
DAN MORSE THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Before therapy, Ciera Belnap’s daughter cried and hid under the bed when family members used a vacuum cleaner.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
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Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the photo released by the White House, Armstrong is sobbing, her mouth hanging open in despair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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But in this version of the photo, Levy Armstrong is pictured sobbing, with visible tears streaming down her cheeks and her mouth open.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bill Belichick’s resume screams one-way ticket to Canton, Ohio, but when he wasn’t voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many were left flabbergasted on Tuesday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cumming said the city's information technology department also abruptly cut off part of her office administrator's access, including the ability to see who else in city government may be looking at whistleblower complaints and documents related to ethics investigations.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Schlegel is expected to be charged via federal criminal complaint with assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with Tuesday's shooting, Janke said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And when her furry black-and-white friend follows her — bleating at her heels, eager for more affection — Kusimayu keeps walking.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Dec. 2025
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The old man bleated out a laugh.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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