as in crying
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in sobbing
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the dog whimpered to be let in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complaining
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 whimpering
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 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
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
In a large tent, veterinarians and volunteers work together to place an IV into the leg of a small, whimpering puppy.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Multiple responders then grasped the canine by the neck and back to lift it onboard, during which the dog could be heard slightly whimpering.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 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
Noun
How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
As the timer passed seven minutes, Steve Eckert exhorted a whimpering young man to dunk his head underwater.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
In a large tent, veterinarians and volunteers work together to place an IV into the leg of a small, whimpering puppy.
—Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimpering
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Noun
-
It’s been splendid watching the weeping and gnashing of teeth from American MAGA supporters.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In the hands of the six-piece band, the shivering chords of that miniature apocalyptic soul song build into a cathartic climax, which Wasner punctuates with weeping slide guitar.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The dispatcher then asked who the woman was sobbing in the background.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Wanner, the slain mother’s husband, arrived at the Granite Bay home with Carlie and found Ashley sobbing, strapped into a high chair with an unfinished supply of dry Cheerios in front of her.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, Super Mario Galaxy is hardly complaining about coming in second ruling the roost for weeks, since it’s now focused on becoming the first film of the year to join the billion-dollar club after finishing Sunday with a global total of $871 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The dog-waste donnybrook was similar to another recent clash in Brooklyn that saw a 75-year-old grandmother jumped and beaten for complaining that a dog walker was not cleaning up the pooch’s poop.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tail wagging, happy whining, and excited greetings when your husband comes home tell me Eddie likes him.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
No politics, no posturing, no whining, just winning.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But a male voice could be heard moaning in the background.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Richter’s grand slam Tuesday against Tinley Park ended with plenty of screaming and high-fives at home plate.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Any passengers not knocked out during the chaos or sucked out into the sky are generally screaming and grabbing for oxygen masks while Captain Rich makes a futile announcement about the importance of not panicking.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whimpering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpering. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
