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)
Synonyms of whimpernext

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
In the video, my dog Leo whimpers at the sound of whistles. Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026 In a large tent, veterinarians and volunteers work together to place an IV into the leg of a small, whimpering puppy. Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
Noun
The Hawks ended their trip out west not with a bang but with very much a whimper. Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026 Back-to-back 11-6 seasons ending in a wild-card whimper wasn’t what anyone who enjoyed showing up to work all season at The Bolt wanted, of course. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026 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 1699, 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 2 Feb. 2026.

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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