as in whines
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 cries
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the dog whimpered to be let in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complains
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 whimpers
ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Earlier this month, a Gardena police officer responded to a report that there were whimpers and cries coming from a self-compacting trash can outside a church.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
As the puppy lets out another barrage of whimpers, the kitten then looks directly at the camera, as if wondering casually what's going on.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world.
—Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Earlier this month, a Gardena police officer responded to a report that there were whimpers and cries coming from a self-compacting trash can outside a church.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
As the puppy lets out another barrage of whimpers, the kitten then looks directly at the camera, as if wondering casually what's going on.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world.
—Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the video, my dog Leo whimpers at the sound of whistles.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimpers
Verb
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In the spot, Shane sits in a middle seat next to a chatty flier while a baby cries in the background.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
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New phone footage leaked to TMZ appears to show Paul putting Mortensen in a choke hold and hurling metal chairs at him; a child cries.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Out of innumerable likely topics, Maher complains about folks who defend cats.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
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At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated somber faces, sobs often cutting through the silence in the crisp spring air.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The recording of the call is harrowing and gut-wrenching as Denise Lee sobs and begs for her life.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Algerio screams at the suspect.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
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He is obsessed with gold, because gold screams money to the masses.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The street was once the main route for people driving from Sacramento to Stockton, before Highway 99 was built, and there are complaints that some drivers still treat it like a freeway.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The House also approved legislation to speed the slow-moving process for harassment complaints, require more disclosure of settlements and force lawmakers to personally pay any penalties they’re required to make.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The caterer’s dead daughter, Marketa, is sung by Vilma Jää, an ethno-pop performer whose forays into Finnish folk techniques have her slinging her voice up into thrillingly high engine-whines.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whimpers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpers. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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