whimpered

verb

past tense of whimper
1
as in cried
to utter feeble plaintive cries the dog whimpered to be let in

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complained
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 whimpered When El Viejo del Costal (Michael Galvan) appeared onstage during a recent performance, draped in rough burlap, his movements liquid and slithering, a kid in the audience whimpered. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Over the course of two hours, witnesses watched and listened as Christa Pike cried, whimpered and snored through Tennessee’s attempt to execute her. — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026 Pancho, a heavy-bodied Airedale, whimpered and rubbed against my leg with the expectation of excitement to come. — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026 Arms flew around in exasperation, and the woman left the table for such a long time that the large dog lying at their feet sat up and whimpered in the direction of her departure. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimpered
  1. cried
  2. complained
  3. sobbed
  4. screamed
  5. moaned
  6. whined
  7. muttered
  8. growled
Verb
  • By Monday, the girl who cried all those tears on her guitar will be both the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall, and youngest-member of the Nashville edition.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Several jurors cried after viewing autopsy photos of Hedgepeth, according to local media accounts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cried
Verb
  • Kenya’s global athletics icons, including 1500m world-record holder Faith Kipyegon, have complained over the poor state of training facilities across the country.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Haitian police officers have complained that the foreign soldiers are reluctant to confront gangs or hold territory taken back from gangs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of complained
Verb
  • Alexander says Martinez threw herself to the ground and sobbed.
    — Francesca D’Annunzio, ProPublica, 25 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of sobbed
Verb
  • Rays third baseman Junior Caminero screamed in the dugout after Milwaukee had rallied to tie the game.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Still only a teenager whose magical passes screamed louder than any of his two-word interview answers ever could, Doncic didn’t say a word with Real Madrid, his longtime Spanish agent Quique Villalobos said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of screamed
Verb
  • Coach Arne Slot moaned about VAR but his problems lie much closer to home.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
Definition of moaned
Verb
  • Unlike last year when Texas coach Steve Sarkisian whined about his non-conference schedule, his main complaint this year will be his conference schedule.
    — Mac Engel October 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Post-Covid, Hollywood has whined about the falloff for MPA fare in Pan Asian territories, particularly the once-robust South Korea.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Definition of whined
Verb
  • The camera then cut to McCarthy, who muttered a profanity in response.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Heti stared at the drawing in front of her and muttered whatever under her breath.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of muttered
Verb
  • Since then, Barkley has growled at several other people, and all but one have been diagnosed with some type of cancer, Dozier said.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the other end of our road, the cranes of the docks loomed — great Stothert and Pitt machines that growled overhead like something out of Star Wars, guarding the scale and mystery of the River Thames.
    — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of growled

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Cite this Entry

“Whimpered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpered. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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