as in whine
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 to cry
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the dog whimpered to be let in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whimper
Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite the Godzilla-like monsters, flame throwers, a real death, a maybe fake death and more heart-to-hearts than a middle school sleepover, the two-hour-long series finale ends with more of a whimper than a bang.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Having whimpered out of World Cup contention, a maiden goal against the two-time world champions may be sufficient consolation for an Azerbaijan side low on morale.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Noun
But a religious savant’s preparations to be mummified occur against the backdrop of food shortages, riots, and a communications blackout from the rest of the Imperial Radch… which sounds like Ooioiaa going out with more of a bang than a whimper.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite the Godzilla-like monsters, flame throwers, a real death, a maybe fake death and more heart-to-hearts than a middle school sleepover, the two-hour-long series finale ends with more of a whimper than a bang.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
But Dahlia does not whimper or cry like Constance wants.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Having whimpered out of World Cup contention, a maiden goal against the two-time world champions may be sufficient consolation for an Azerbaijan side low on morale.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whimper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimper
Noun
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No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Néfissa cries loudly and with anguish about her son, but refuses to acknowledge his truth.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second-largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Other conservatives have also complained about Bad Bunny performing in Spanish.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Around the grave of one young man, his mother and grandmother quietly sob, his friends crouched down by the small mat of flower stems.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
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In the photo released by the White House, Armstrong is sobbing, her mouth hanging open in despair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The work that doesn’t scream the loudest internally but decides who wins externally.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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Vonn was heard screaming in pain while lying in the snow before she was airlifted off the course.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That was despite Kaley’s mother’s attempts to use third-party software to block access to the platforms, according to her complaint.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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In 2021, the phone call from Rhoades at the insurance department described 50-plus complaints.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The man sitting in front of me—rugged, with a fine Rockwell Kent profile—tips forward and begins to emit gentle, bleating snores.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
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And when her furry black-and-white friend follows her — bleating at her heels, eager for more affection — Kusimayu keeps walking.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimper. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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