好词典

whimper

UK //ˈwɪm.pər//US //ˈwɪm.pɚ//

词源

源自中古英语 whimeren(拟声词),模仿啜泣声。与低地德语 wimmern(呜咽)同源。

verb

❶ 发出微弱、断断续续的哭声或呜咽声,通常因为害怕、疼痛或委屈。

“The puppy whimpered when it got left outside in the rain.”

(小狗被留在雨里时发出了呜咽声。)

“She whimpered in pain as the nurse cleaned her wound.”

(护士清理她的伤口时,她疼得小声抽泣。)

同义词:whine, mewl, sob, moan, snivel

noun

❶ 微弱、颤抖的哭声或抱怨声,常带有无助或委屈的情绪。

“We heard a faint whimper coming from the abandoned box.”

(我们听到废弃的箱子里传来微弱的呜咽声。)

“Her protest ended in a whimper rather than a shout.”

(她的抗议以低声啜泣收场,而非大声呼喊。)

同义词:whine, moan, sob, groan, murmur

常见短语

not with a bang but a whimper — 形容某事以平淡、窝囊的方式结束,而非轰轰烈烈。源自艾略特诗句,常用于描述失败或失望的结局。

“Their rebellion ended not with a bang but a whimper.”

(他们的反抗没有轰轰烈烈地结束,而是悄无声息地偃旗息鼓。)

whimper out — 指声音、活动等逐渐减弱至消失,常带有无奈或软弱的意味。

“The protest whimperd out after three days without media coverage.”

(抗议活动在没有媒体报道的情况下持续三天后逐渐平息。)