whimpers 1 of 2

noun

plural of whimper
as in whines
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment patiently posed for dozens of photographs without so much as a whimper

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whimpers

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of whimper
1
as in cries
to utter feeble plaintive cries the dog whimpered to be let in

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2
as in complains
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

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.
Recent Examples of whimpers
Noun
At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers. — ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026 Earlier this month, a Gardena police officer responded to a report that there were whimpers and cries coming from a self-compacting trash can outside a church. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026 As the puppy lets out another barrage of whimpers, the kitten then looks directly at the camera, as if wondering casually what's going on. — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof. — Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world. — Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the video, my dog Leo whimpers at the sound of whistles. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimpers
  1. moans
  2. cries
  3. complains
  4. complaints
  5. sobs
  6. screams
  7. whines
  8. mutters
Noun
  • Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.
    — Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas.
    — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of moans
Verb
  • And then there’s the sad, as when Earle cries about her breakup or reveals that her mother was diagnosed with cancer while Alix was competing on Dancing With the Stars.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Residents and volunteers formed human chains, while others stood silently nearby, listening for tapping sounds or cries from below.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of cries
Verb
  • Changes in Water Pressure Ragsdale’s antenna immediately goes up when a homeowner complains about low water pressure.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Shannon basically complains so much that Jenn, a sweet baby angel straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie, offers to change rooms with her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of complains
Noun
  • Latinos Aventureros Co-Founder Sandra Salazar said complaints about trash at Wilson Creek since Hurricane Helene created friction in the area.
    — Lily Knoepp, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In lieu of bigger changes that could reduce noise complaints, many hotels now routinely hand out earplugs and eye masks.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of complaints
Verb
  • The dramatic clip finds Reid and a male love interest performing an armed robbery at a convenience store before enjoying a romance and running from the cops — who ultimately cuff the man in the end, as the Missing star sobs in fear.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • Her endless screams and sobs echo back to the agonized wailing of The Mist’s David Drayton, who murdered his child and friends for nothing.
    — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Definition of sobs
Verb
  • Brighton’s squad was fashioned in his image, and while new head coach Arturo Ruiz impressed during his time at Real Sociedad, getting to grips with a brand new team so close to the season’s beginning screams teething problems.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of screams
Verb
  • At one point, when Reagan suggests sharing missile-defense technology, Gorbachev stands up and whines about how America will not even share dairy technology so that the Soviets can provide milk to their children.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Definition of whines
Verb
  • That’s when Way mutters the p-word — under his breath for plausible deniability, but certainly still with the intention of being heard, smirking at the sound of my laughter.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Wilde read on social media that the tune actually inspired a movie theater meet-cute, as Nash mutters profanity mid-song.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of mutters

Browse Nearby Words

whimpering
whimpers
whims
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Cite this Entry

“Whimpers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimpers. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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