Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sniveling

sniveling

12 7.7
A weak, tearful complaint that shows self-pity
  • noun
  • /ˈsnɪvəlɪŋ/
  • Informal
translation icon : lloriqueo
  • Enough of this sniveling; it's time to take action instead of complaining.
  • sniveling coward
  • sniveling little
  • sniveling weasel

Examples

  • His constant sniveling about unfair treatment made it difficult to take him seriously.

  • Enough sniveling, gentlemen.

    Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)

  • Did she really believe her sniveling was going to work with him now?

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I'd rather know where I stand than listen to their sniveling excuses and lies.

    Blog text (8)

  • "Stop your sniveling," she snapped.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Can't you stop your sniveling?

    One Hour Photo (2002)

  • And suddenly I could not take his sadness; not his sorry sniveling, not the close-up of his shriveled chin, not his broken spirit.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • The child's sniveling after losing his toy drew concerned glances from the adults nearby.

Synonyms

whine
vssniveling
  • Informal
28 3.0

A high, annoying complaint

focuses on tearful self pity rather than pitch or irritability
snivel
vssniveling
1 9.3

A whining, tearful complaint

is identical in meaning but differs only in form or use
constant complaining
vssniveling
1 3.5

A habit of always saying you are unhappy about things

stresses tearful self pity instead of mere frequency of complaint
whininess
vssniveling
  • Informal
1 4.8

A kind of complaining that sounds annoying and childish in a high voice

describes tearful self pity as an emotional act rather than a mere quality
complaining
vssniveling
3.7

A person who often says they are not happy about things

focuses on tearful self pity rather than general habitual grievance

Antonyms

cheer
205 1.0

A loud shout people make to show approval or support

How Whiny

whine
  • Informal
28 3.0
sniveling
  • Informal
12 7.7
grumbling
19 3.2

Surface Forms

sniveling singular
snivelings plural

Morphology

sniveling = snivel (transparent) = snivel + ing

A straightforward gerund/participle formed from the verb 'snivel'; the noun meaning ('the act of whining') is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Sniveling comes from the old verb snivel, a word that copies the small nose sound 'to sniff' and is like the everyday word sniffle. So sniveling means whining or complaining in a tearful way, when someone is 'feeling sorry for themselves'.