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

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

From New York Times • Jun. 28, 2021

Deny your partner a Facebook or Twitter account if you want, but don't snivel when people are swirling their fingers round their ears at talk of your name.

From The Guardian • Jul. 8, 2011

Basketball's all-time biggest draw retires to the golf links, the second-rate wannabes he turned into multimillionaires snivel about their economic hardship, and the league still finds ways to fill the tent.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Yorkshire Post declared: "Drivel and snivel, in days of challenge and strain, may almost be classed as a minor form of Fifth Column activity."

From Time Magazine Archive

I snivel and sniff and give a weak nod.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau