as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cry
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the dog whimpered to be let in
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
a good-hearted person, but given to whimpering about trifles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whimper
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Sloane has talent for sure, but the petal-soft vocal and melodic departures that accompanied this rendition turned a whopper of a hit into a whimper.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 26 Nov. 2024
Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
In the video, one of the woman’s young daughters whimpers and the other clasps tightly to her distraught, Mickey ears headband-wearing mother while begging strangers for help.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Noun
The big showdown with the Clarks — featuring the Tracey Ullman in a far-too-short guest role — ends with several bangs, courtesy of Sam, who insists on protecting Helen from both harm and regrettable murders, and also with the whimper of realizing the whole revenge plot was kind of a nothingburger.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Sloane has talent for sure, but the petal-soft vocal and melodic departures that accompanied this rendition turned a whopper of a hit into a whimper.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
Despite being administered morphine, Celine constantly whimpered in pain.
—Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
In the video, one of the woman’s young daughters whimpers and the other clasps tightly to her distraught, Mickey ears headband-wearing mother while begging strangers for help.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
Noun
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Fritz revved the engine, a desperate, needling whine, and the vessel lurched down the airstrip, the chute billowing awake behind him.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Families fall asleep to the thump of nearby airstrikes and the constant whine of an Israeli drone overhead.—
Raf Sanchez,
NBC News,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Speaking of Armageddon, the scene at the end when Ben Affleck says goodby to Bruce Willis has developed a reputation online for making grown men cry.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
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The filing describes heaving-like breathing and crying throughout the call.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While many people who renounced their citizenship complained of being unhappy with the political climate in the US, another reason for their decision is often taxes, Alistair Bambridge, a partner at Bambridge Accountants, told CNN in August 2020.—
Edward Szekeres,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance clashed dramatically with the Ukrainian leader in the Oval Office Friday after Zelenskyy complained about Russian President Vladimir Putin.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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None of these moans are intended to dismiss the importance of clever in-jokes and references to past adventures.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Tonally registering as if carved from a medium-hard piece of oak, his transparent deliveries — mellow whispers, conversational assertions, longing moans, resolute cries — served as effective vessels for those character sketches and autobiographical reflections.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Some in the crowd sobbed as organizers played excerpts from Nasrallah's speeches.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2025
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Danielle literally falls to the ground, sobbing and hyperventilating.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There, Garrett screamed at his girlfriend, a guest in a neighboring room would later tell Tricia.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2025
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Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Carpenter said complaints could have already fallen off the calendar because of the delay in hiring a director.—
Destiny Torres,
Orange County Register,
7 Mar. 2025
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One of the brothers was covered in blood and said his mom and dad beat him and his dad knocked his teeth out, the complaint said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Bao Li, a playful boy who bleats in excitement, climbed dangerously high up a tree.—
Robin Wright,
The New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2025
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The living room was a swirl of kids and bleating screens.—
John Branch,
New York Times,
24 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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