whimper

[ hwim-per, wim- ]

verb (used without object)

1. to cry with low, plaintive, broken sounds.

   Synonyms: sob, weep, whine

verb (used with object)

1. to utter in a whimper.

noun

1. a whimpering cry or sound.

   Synonyms: sob, whine

whimper

/ ˈwɪmpə /

verb

1. intr to cry, sob, or whine softly or intermittently
2. to complain or say (something) in a whining plaintive way

noun

1. a soft plaintive whine

Derived Forms

• ˈwhimpering, noun
• ˈwhimperer, noun
• ˈwhimperingly, adverb

Other Words From

• whimper·er noun
• whimper·ing·ly adverb
• un·whimper·ing adjective
• un·whimper·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimper¹

1505–15; obsolete whimp to whine + -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimper¹

C16: from dialect whimp, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

But history will now also remember him as the Joe Biden of the Eastside — someone who stayed way past his expiration date, ended his political career with a whimper and cost his base their political power because he refused to leave.

From Los Angeles Times

Although this season will end Sunday with a whimper, the young trio at the core of their rebuild — Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel and Logan O’Hoppe — has shown the promise and growth needed to help the team win.

From Los Angeles Times

On Wednesday, however, Miller’s dreadful sophomore campaign essentially ended with a whimper.

From Los Angeles Times

After a quiet summer in the transfer market with three players coming in – Iceland midfielder Stefan Teitur Thordarson and a pair of loans in Sam Greenwood and Kaine Kessler-Hayden – Preston began with a whimper against the Blades.

From BBC

Five years ago, Australian striker Michelle Heyman retired from international football with a little more than a whimper.

From BBC

Related Words

• moan
• weep