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)

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
That said, the whimpering Chamberlain still gives me the heebie-jeebies. Ollie Barder, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 Despite being administered morphine, Celine constantly whimpered in pain. Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Real Housewives of New Jersey By Brian Moylan Photo: Bravo Season 14, Episode 13: This is the way the show ends, not with a bang but with a whimper. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024 History, at times, ends with a whimper rather than a bang. Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 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 1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whimper was in 1513

Dictionary Entries Near whimper

Cite this Entry

“Whimper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whimper. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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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