as in crying
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
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
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
After the particularly disturbing Game 3 loss, when the Avs lost for only the second time in 76 playoff games when leading by three goals, Colorado resorted to whimpering.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
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
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But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Noun
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The scenes of security personnel forcibly removing weeping and resistant settlers deeply divided Israeli society.—
Shira Pinson,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
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Purple Pixie® has a weeping habit, with vibrant purple foliage that flows from containers, adding color and movement to porch plantings all year long.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Is Marie-Paule’s reaction—to throw herself, sobbing, to the ground—authentic, or more of a performance or a ritual?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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The guest who was with me wouldn’t stop sobbing.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Hegseth had some choice words for Europe, complaining that allies in the region hadn’t pulled their weight.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
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Now in the possession of Kelly Kilpatrick (Cherry Jones), Deborah, dragging a complaining Ava with her as a kind of opposite beard, decides to con Kilpatrick and her wife Monica (Leslie Bibb).—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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At low speeds through the town of Imola and villages beyond it, the most prominent sound is the whining of the rear differential.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
18 May 2026
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That broader perspective may explain why Hamlin’s criticisms rarely sound like post-race whining.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The process left Carruthers bleeding and moaning on May 21, according to the witness, Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Verb
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And watching the videos of the people jumping out of their chairs, screaming, cheering was so cool.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
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An exasperated Tomás enters the thicket himself to retrieve, among other items, Liam’s boot, and doesn’t emerge until the next day—not screaming, but fundamentally changed.—
Nora Biette-Timmons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whimpering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpering. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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