whimpers

Feeble crying sounds

Whimpers are soft, plaintive cries expressing fear, pain, or distress—the sounds a frightened dog or upset child makes.

To whimper is to make such sounds: The puppy whimpered at the door.

The word suggests weakness or helplessness, sometimes used dismissively: He went out with a whimper, not a bang.

sound

whining

Prolonged nasal complaining

sobbingConvulsive crying aloud
mewlingWeak, plaintive crying
cryingEmotional tear release

sniffling · sniveling · yelping · keening · moaning · squeaking · snuffling · blubbering · muffled · faint

distress

crying

Emotional tear release

pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
coweringShrinking in fear
tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion

fearful · helpless · vulnerable · pathetic · piteous · plaintive · sorrowful · anguished · wounded · suffering

complaint

whine

Complain in high pitch

grumbleLow, discontented murmuring
moanLow vocal complaint
fussAgitated, unnecessary concern

protest · objection · grievance · gripe · murmur · bleat · sulk · pout · petulance · peevishness

Categories

involuntary speechblurting, exclamations, outbursts, Freudian slip, Freudian slips
primate signalsvocalizations, gestures, calls, facial expressions, hoots
expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
outcriescries, screams, shouts, yells, howls

Opposites

vocal intensity/volume

whimpersscreams

Loud, piercing cries

howls · roars · shouts · shrieks · bellows

emotional strength/assertiveness

whimpersroars

Loud, deep cries

bellows · demands · commands · asserts · declares

sound presence

whimperssilence

Total lack of sound

Family

whimper, whimpering, whimpered, whimperer, whimperings, whimperers, whimpery

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G