snivel

American  

[sniv-uhl] / ˈsnɪv əl /

verb (used without object)

sniveled, sniveling, snivelled, snivelling

1. to weep or cry with sniffling.

2. to affect a tearful state; whine.

3. to run at the nose; have a runny nose.

   She sniveled from the cold.

4. to draw up mucus audibly through the nose.

   Stop sniveling and use your handkerchief.

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verb (used with object)

sniveled, sniveling, snivelled, snivelling

1. to utter with sniveling or sniffling.

noun

1. weak, whining, or pretended weeping.

2. a light sniffle, as in weeping.

3. a hypocritical show of feeling.

   a sentimental snivel.

4. mucus running from the nose.

5. (the) snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; the sniffles.

snivel British  

/ ˈsnɪvəl /

verb

1. (intr) to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly

2. to utter (something) tearfully; whine

3. (intr) to have a runny nose

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noun

1. an instance of snivelling

Other Word Forms

• sniveler noun
• sniveller noun
• snivelling adjective
• snivelly adjective

Etymology

Origin of snivel

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung “sniveling,” derivative of snofl “mucus”; cognate with Low German snüfeln

Example Sentences

“Sorry I gave you a hard time this morning,” I sniveled.

From Literature

"You know what, I, I, I, find that ludicrous. But if it's the case, maybe you'll win a Pulitzer for that," he sniveled.

From Salon

And I whine a little bit and moan and snivel, and that works.

From New York Times

While Trump sniveled, telling the insurrectionists to go home without condemning their behavior and while asserting his love for them, Biden minced no words.

From Washington Post

But even as the banker sniveled something that made Marlena blanch and stare in horror at her bowl of clam chowder, posters were being slapped up on every surface in town.

From Literature