as in crying
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1
as in sobbing
to utter feeble plaintive cries
the dog whimpered to be let in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
a good-hearted person, but given to whimpering about trifles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whimpering
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Only this version of Slattery is a whimpering scaredy-cat, who unleashes the beast within at a key moment in the film.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Multiple responders then grasped the canine by the neck and back to lift it onboard, during which the dog could be heard slightly whimpering.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Only this version of Slattery is a whimpering scaredy-cat, who unleashes the beast within at a key moment in the film.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimpering
Adjective
-
But his crying scene in Ford v Ferrari is one for the ages.—
Michael Granberry,
Dallas News,
17 Jan. 2020
Noun
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Mostly, however, Gee’s sophisticated, stealthily moving film folds any bursts of emotion into its exquisitely dark shadows, letting Evans’ limpid but heartsore music do most of the weeping.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In the early twentieth century, on the Andaman Islands, social anthropologists observed ritualistic greetings that involved wailing and weeping.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s Pete Carroll holding the hand of his sobbing grandson as television cameras invaded his personal space.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Cover your ears, look away, or grab a hot dog — after all, not every artist is for everyone, and complaining won’t change that.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Many suits came from roofing and paving companies, architects, lumber suppliers and similar businesses complaining that Ferrigno’s company never paid them for materials and labor at his various housing construction sites in Avon and Simsbury.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All of this self-indulgent whining, by the way, is going on while Pippa is supposed to be supporting Bree at her photography exhibit.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While Slot was moaning about having to play two away matches in four days (and about missing a couple of key players), Emery, also without important figures such as Boubacar Kamara, was overseeing his Villa side playing the same tough schedule and win both games without conceding a goal.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
While lying on the pavement, he could be heard moaning as an officer shouted at him not to move.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In the fourth quarter, Hornets coach Charles Lee was tossed from the game and needed to be held back after screaming at officials following a no-call when his player, Grant Williams, collided with Pistons’ Paul Reed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Police were notified that the man, later identified as Justin Rich, was screaming and damaging cars.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whimpering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpering. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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