mewling
Kitten's feeble cries
Mewling describes weak, high-pitched crying or whimpering, like the sounds made by a kitten or an infant.
The word carries connotations of helplessness and feebleness, which is why it often appears in dismissive or contemptuous contexts: mewling complaints, a mewling coward.
Shakespeare's famous "mewling and puking" from *As You Like It* captures the word's association with infantile weakness.
The kittens were mewling in the box by the door.
Quiet, plaintive cry
- cryVocal expression of emotion
- wailProlonged mournful cry
- fussAgitated, unnecessary concern
- newbornInfant just delivered
crib · nursery · swaddle · colicky · fretful · inconsolable · squalling · bawling
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
newborn · crib · nursery · swaddle · colicky · fretful · inconsolable · squalling · bawling · sniveling
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
squeak · newborn · litter · nursing · helpless · tiny · weak · pitiful · feeble · nestling
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
pitiful · pathetic · weak · feeble · sorrowful · forlorn · pleading · beseeching · piteous · doleful
sniveling
Tearful, pitiful complaining
pathetic · craven · weak-willed · simpering · groveling · obsequious · servile · cringing · fawning · wheedling
mewlingroaring
Making prolonged loud noise
bellowing · howling · thundering · booming · wailing
mewlingcommanding
Exerting strong authority
assertive · demanding · authoritative · bold · forceful