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
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
Noun
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimpers
Verb
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For one, the choice to keep football out of the Canton mall development gets some pushback and publicity, including from a former Cleveland Browns player who cries on the news about it.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
27 Oct. 2025
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The majority of the action, however, unfolds in a claustrophobic one-shot inside a tent, with our heroes quaking at the whoops and cries surrounding them.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At one point, Hujar complains about a call from the artist Ed Baynard.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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The president calls his wife and complains about the sole of his shoe before heading off to a girls’ basketball event with Angel Reese.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Stein’s bedroom adjoined the room where Dodge would visit her lover at night; kept awake by the murmurings and moans, Stein lit a candle and composed a portrait of her host.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement One veteran, Matty Roberts visibly sobs.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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Darcey sobs as Georgi continues to defend himself for not easily opening up to others.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
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That stretch screams points, and the wise move might be to start planning your route to Salah.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Parents of students with disabilities have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state over their schools’ failure to educate their children, and most of the time, state investigators have agreed.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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MacLeod said many of the complaints his organization hears are like the Johnsons’ and involve third-party utility billing companies hired by landlords.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 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 9 Jan. 2026.
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