whimper

1 of 2

verb

whim·​per ˈ(h)wim-pər How to pronounce whimper (audio)
whimpered; whimpering ˈ(h)wim-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce whimper (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to make a low whining plaintive or broken sound
2
: to complain or protest with or as if with a whimper

whimper

2 of 2

noun

1
: a whimpering cry or sound
2
: a petulant complaint or protest
the bill passed without a whimper

Examples of whimper in a Sentence

Verb I could hear the puppy whimpering. She whimpered about having to get up early. “Where are you going?” she whimpered. Noun I could hear the puppy's whimpers. patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The Wolverines whimpered to an 11-point loss against the Sooners but otherwise looked good in wider wins over New Mexico (34-17) and Central Michigan (63-3). Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025 But after that leadoff bang, the Red Sox whimpered through the next four innings. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025
Noun
While this smoldering cosmic ember state represents the end for single stars going out with a whimper rather than a bang, white dwarfs that have a stellar companion can get a second lease on life and a more conclusive and explosive end. Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025 This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper. Reuven Perlman, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whimper

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whimper was in 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whimper. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

whimper

1 of 2 verb
whim·​per ˈhwim-pər How to pronounce whimper (audio)
ˈwim-
whimpered; whimpering -p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce whimper (audio)
: to utter weak interrupted cries
whimpered in pain

whimper

2 of 2 noun
: a whimpering cry

More from Merriam-Webster on whimper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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