verb / noun

snivel

SNIV-ul/ˈsnɪvl/

Weak, self-pitying complaining or crying.

He snivels about every setback as if nothing is fair.

A young man cries with a pinched, self-pitying expression, tear-streaked cheeks, a trembling protruding lower lip, and a runny nose that he dabs with a crumpled tissue.

Etymology

The nasal-mucus noun underlies an inferred verb meaning “run at the nose.” Snivel later described affected tearfulness and expressions of regret, connecting that bodily symptom with weak crying or complaining.

In context

Weird Medieval Guys69:58

may your knees break your hands shrivel and your sword Plunge in your guts to make you snivel

Medieval Welsh bards

More examples

Stop sniveling and tell me what actually went wrong.
He sniveled that nobody ever gave him a chance.
She answers the simple request with a self-pitying snivel.

Forms

snivel · snivels · sniveled · sniveling

sniveler noun — Someone who complains with excessive self-pity.

Similar words

whine: Emphasizes a drawn-out, irritating complaint rather than tearful self-pity.
whimper: Suggests soft, broken crying, often from fear or pain.
complain: Does not necessarily imply tears, weakness, or self-pity.