WHIMPERS Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

whimpers 1 of 2

noun

plural of whimper

as in whines

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper

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whimpers

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of whimper

as in cries

to utter feeble plaintive cries the dog whimpered to be let in

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 whimpers

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

Noun

In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.

— Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of moans

Verb

And then there’s the sad, as when Earle cries about her breakup or reveals that her mother was diagnosed with cancer while Alix was competing on Dancing With the Stars.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Residents and volunteers formed human chains, while others stood silently nearby, listening for tapping sounds or cries from below.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of cries

Verb

Shannon basically complains so much that Jenn, a sweet baby angel straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie, offers to change rooms with her.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
The private sector complains that there are jobs but that Indians aren’t skilled enough to be hired.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of complains

Verb

The dramatic clip finds Reid and a male love interest performing an armed robbery at a convenience store before enjoying a romance and running from the cops — who ultimately cuff the man in the end, as the Missing star sobs in fear.

— Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Her endless screams and sobs echo back to the agonized wailing of The Mist’s David Drayton, who murdered his child and friends for nothing.

— Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Definition of sobs

Verb

At one point, when Reagan suggests sharing missile-defense technology, Gorbachev stands up and whines about how America will not even share dairy technology so that the Soviets can provide milk to their children.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Definition of whines

Verb

That’s when Way mutters the p-word — under his breath for plausible deniability, but certainly still with the intention of being heard, smirking at the sound of my laughter.

— Selome Hailu, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Wilde read on social media that the tune actually inspired a movie theater meet-cute, as Nash mutters profanity mid-song.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of mutters

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whimpers

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“Whimpers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpers. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of whimpers

noun

verb

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