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
1
as in cries
to utter feeble plaintive cries the dog whimpered to be let in

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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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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
  1. moans
  2. cries
  3. complains
  4. complaints
  5. sobs
  6. screams
  7. whines
  8. mutters
Noun
  • Lori can hardly speak, relying on a young nurse who sits at her side to translate her low, pained moans.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.
    — Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of moans
Verb
  • In the other van, Gen cries tears of pride and fulfillment after Aesha and Nathan praise her performance in the last charter.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • On the floor, my brother cries into the carpet, pawing at the ground.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of cries
Verb
  • China is demanding the US ease export bans on high-tech goods, like chipmaking gear; the US bitterly complains about Chinese overproduction and transhipment.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • There’ll always be someone who doesn’t like it, who complains about it.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of complains
Noun
  • History of safety complaints Former pilots of 21 Air, the air-cargo company operating the Amazon Prime plane that fatal Sunday, had previously gone on record shining light on a host of safety complaints well before the crash.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Their complaints include inadequate staffing at schools, a lack of resources, crumbling infrastructure, and allegedly overpacked schedules.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of complaints
Verb
  • My public screening was awash — nearly literally — with sniffles and sobs.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of sobs
Verb
  • The residents also projected a slick video (narrated by a British actor and viewed by Deadline) that talked about how the residents hear screams every 20 to 40 seconds, which averages out to 1,000 screams a day, 365,000 a year.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Between the rich burgundy hue, the delicate side splits on the crewneck sweater, the ribbed texture, and the wide-leg pant silhouette, this matching set screams rich-mom energy.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of screams
Verb
  • Andrew whines about the prattling women who’ve infiltrated his home, firmly establishing that all men are, in fact, terrible.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
  • On the dashboard, radar whines – tilting higher in pitch the faster cars go.
    — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 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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Cite this Entry

“Whimpers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpers. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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