mewls
Makes kitten sounds
Mewls is the third-person singular of mewl, meaning to cry weakly or whimper like an infant or kitten.
The sound is feeble and high-pitched, suggesting vulnerability or helplessness: The newborn mewls in its crib.
Shakespeare paired it with "puking" to describe infancy's indignity.
The word often carries a note of contempt when applied to adults: He mewls about every minor inconvenience.
Quiet, plaintive cry
- wailProlonged mournful cry
- sobConvulsive weeping
- weepShed tears emotionally
- snivelWeep while complaining
pitiful · pathetic · forlorn · sorrowful · mournful · woeful · doleful · melancholic
Very young child
- newbornInfant just delivered
- cooSoft avian vocalization
- gurgleBubbling liquid sound
- whimperQuiet, plaintive cry
cry · nursery · cradle · swaddle · fussy · colicky · hungry · sleepy
Weak and ineffective
barely audible · thin · reedy · tremulous · wavering · faltering · timid · meek
Inclined to complain
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
bothersome · petulant · peevish · querulous · fussy · complaining · attention-seeking · demanding
whimper
Quiet, plaintive cry
snivel · pitiful · pathetic · forlorn · sorrowful · mournful · woeful · doleful · melancholic · anguished
baby
Very young child
whimper · cry · nursery · cradle · swaddle · fussy · colicky · hungry · sleepy · needy
kitten
Juvenile domestic feline
paws · feline · tabby · litter · catnip · claws · tail · siamese · calico · newborn
feeble
Weak and ineffective
subdued · barely audible · thin · reedy · tremulous · wavering · faltering · timid · meek · ineffectual
whiny
Inclined to complain
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
nagging · bothersome · petulant · peevish · querulous · fussy · complaining · attention-seeking · demanding · insistent