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
Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite the Godzilla-like monsters, flame throwers, a real death, a maybe fake death and more heart-to-hearts than a middle school sleepover, the two-hour-long series finale ends with more of a whimper than a bang.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 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
But a religious savant’s preparations to be mummified occur against the backdrop of food shortages, riots, and a communications blackout from the rest of the Imperial Radch… which sounds like Ooioiaa going out with more of a bang than a whimper.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite the Godzilla-like monsters, flame throwers, a real death, a maybe fake death and more heart-to-hearts than a middle school sleepover, the two-hour-long series finale ends with more of a whimper than a bang.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 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
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Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Néfissa cries loudly and with anguish about her son, but refuses to acknowledge his truth.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Much of this isn't included in Fennell's version, and early on, many complained the movie seemed to romanticize the abuse in the book.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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Dieppa said a nearby daycare complained of cat waste.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 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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Pata’s mother left the courtroom sobbing while someone was testifying.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
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But producers kept the cameras rolling throughout Shandi’s distress, capturing her sobbing frame and even filming a tearful phone call with her boyfriend back home.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy — The images of Lindsey Vonn down on the snow, screaming in pain and then being airlifted off the course by helicopter after her crash at the Olympics were a stark reminder of the dangers of the downhill.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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People didn’t scream out answers.—
Jeff Banowetz,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The complaint was dismissed with prejudice.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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The data is less clear that dog ownership increased in New York City specifically, but complaints about dog poop left on the ground certainly did.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The man sitting in front of me—rugged, with a fine Rockwell Kent profile—tips forward and begins to emit gentle, bleating snores.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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