snivel

Weep and complain

Snivel means to cry or whine in a weak, self-pitying way, often with sniffling or a runny nose: Stop sniveling and tell me what happened.

The word carries contempt—sniveling suggests cowardice or excessive complaint rather than genuine grief.

As a noun, a snivel is such whimpering, though the verb dominates.

complaining

whine

Complain in high pitch

gripeVoice minor displeasure
grumbleLow, discontented murmuring
moanLow vocal complaint

kvetch · bellyache · grouse · carp · fuss · nag · yammer · bleat · mutter · grousing

crying

whimper

Quiet, plaintive cry

sobConvulsive weeping
weepShed tears emotionally
blubberMarine mammal fat

wail · cry · tears · blubbering · mewl · whinge · bawl · tearful · weepy

nasal

mucus

Protective bodily secretion

runnyExcessively fluid
congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
dripLiquid falling slowly

phlegm · dribble · snotty · snorting · cold · stuffed-up · dribbly

self-pity

maudlin

Excessively tearful sentiment

patheticArousing scornful pity
plaintiveSounding sad, sorrowful
woefulExtremely sad or pitiful

victimhood · martyrdom · pitiful · simpering · groveling · obsequious · cringing · bootlicking

Categories

criescry, scream, shout, yell, wail
cryingcry, crying, tears, sob, sobbing
emotional releasecry, venting, crying, sob, sobbing
gripingcomplaining, grumbling, griping, grousing, kvetching
body fluidsblood, lymph, saliva, urine, sweat
weak complaintswhine, whimper, grumble, mutter, gripe

Opposites

emotional expression type

snivellaugh

Express amusement vocally

chuckle · chortle · guffaw · belly laugh · cackle

emotional composure

snivelstoic

Uncomplaining endurer of hardship

composed · unflappable · stoical · impassive · self-possessed

behavioral character

snivelbrave

Showing courage despite fear

courageous · stalwart · resolute · steadfast · tough it out

Family

sniveling, sniveler, snivels, snivelly, snivelling, sniveled, snivelled, snivelers, sniveller

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G