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
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 Fast forward to the present day, Jesse spoke softly to Jenn, who was still crying and whimpering as Devin sat next to her on the sofa. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2024
Noun
Trump and Musk had trouble getting started on X The conversation — Musk rightly called it that — started with a whimper, not a bang, when technical glitches delayed the start for 42 minutes. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Aug. 2024 This is the way the show ends, not with a bang but with a whimper. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Aug. 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 21 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!