mewl
Cry like kittens
To mewl is to cry weakly or whimper, like a kitten or an infant.
The word suggests a high-pitched, feeble sound—plaintive rather than demanding: The newborn mewled in her arms.
Shakespeare paired it with puke in describing infancy: "mewling and puking in the nurse's arms." The word remains literary and uncommon.
Quiet, plaintive cry
- wailProlonged mournful cry
- moanLow vocal complaint
- sobConvulsive weeping
- pitifulArousing sorrowful contempt
pathetic · feeble · weak · sorrowful · mournful · forlorn · piteous · doleful
Quiet, plaintive cry
- cryVocal expression of emotion
- wailProlonged mournful cry
- fussAgitated, unnecessary concern
- cooSoft avian vocalization
gurgle · newborn · kitten · swaddle · cradle · helpless · feeble · needy
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
pitiful · pathetic · feeble · weak · sorrowful · mournful · forlorn · piteous · doleful · keening
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
coo · gurgle · newborn · kitten · swaddle · cradle · helpless · feeble · needy · nursing
kitten
Juvenile domestic feline
- purrFeline contentment sound
- yowlProlonged distressed cry
- caterwaulingShrill, harsh crying
whimper · cry · newborn · litter · nursing · tomcat · stray · alley · feral · domestic
whine
Complain in high pitch
pathetic · weakness · cowardly · spineless · simpering · groveling · pitiful · feeble · cringing · whimpering