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Whimper vs Whisper - What's the difference?

whimper | whisper |

As nouns the difference between whimper and whisper

is that whimper is a low intermittent sob while whisper is the act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords.

As verbs the difference between whimper and whisper

is that whimper is to cry or sob softly and intermittently while whisper is to speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.

whimper

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A low intermittent sob.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry or sob softly and intermittently.
    • The lonely puppy began to whimper as soon as we left the room.
  • * 1886 , (Robert Louis Stevenson), (Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde)
    • At the sight of Mr. Utterson, the housemaid broke into hysterical whimpering ; and the cook, crying out "Bless God! it's Mr. Utterson," ran forward as if to take him in her arms.
  • To cry with a low, whining, broken voice; to whine; to complain.
  • * Latimer
    • Was there ever yet preacher but there were gainsayers that spurned, that winced, that whimpered against him?
  • To say something in a whimpering manner.
    • "Master, please don't punish me!" he whimpered .

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * whimperative

    whisper

    English

    Noun

    (Whispering) (en noun)
  • The act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords.
  • * 1883 , :
    • "Now, look here, Jim Hawkins," he said, in a steady whisper , that was no more than audible.
  • (usually in plural) A rumor.
    • There are whispers of rebellion all around.
  • (figurative) A faint trace or hint (of something).
    • The soup had just a whisper of basil.
  • (internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room.
  • * 2002 , Ralph Schroeder, The Social Life of Avatars (page 218)
    • The invisibility of private interactions in the form of whispers resolved an ethical concern in the research but reduced our ability to gauge the volume of interaction
  • * 2004 , Caroline A. Haythornthwaite, Michelle M. Kazmer, Learning, Culture and Community in Online Education (page 179)
    • Anyone logged in to the chat room can click on an individual name, highlighting it, and send a message — a whisper — that will be seen only by the selected person.

    Derived terms

    * stage whisper * whisper campaign

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.
  • To mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper.
  • * Bentley
    • They might buzz and whisper it one to another.
  • To make a low, sibilant sound.
  • * Thomson
    • the hollow, whispering breeze
  • To speak with suspicion or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting.
  • * Bible, Psalms xli. 7
    • All that hate me whisper together against me.
  • (obsolete) To address in a whisper, or low voice.
  • * Shakespeare
    • and whisper one another in the ear
  • * Keble
    • where gentlest breezes whisper souls distressed
  • (obsolete) To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately.
  • * Shakespeare
    • He came to whisper Wolsey.