Mewl

To cry weakly or fretfully; to whimper, especially in a plaintive or pathetic manner. Often associated with infants or children, mewling can also describe a similar sound or behavior exhibited by animals, particularly kittens. It suggests a display of vulnerability, distress, or need. The sound produced is typically high-pitched and conveys a sense of helplessness. It is a verbal indication of a desire for comfort, attention, or satisfaction of a basic need, like hunger or security. This act often triggers empathetic responses from others.

Mewl meaning with examples

• The baby, sensing his mother's absence, began to mewl in his crib, a tiny, high-pitched sound that quickly escalated into full-blown sobs. His caregiver rushed to soothe him, recognizing the familiar cries of a child seeking reassurance and comfort. The mewling continued until he was picked up and given a warm embrace, after which the crying subsided into happy gurgles.
• Lost in the vast, echoing warehouse, the stray kitten mewled pathetically, its voice barely audible above the industrial hum. Its fragile cries pierced through the silence, a desperate plea for food and shelter. A kind-hearted worker, upon hearing the sound, followed the mewling to find the tiny creature, offering it nourishment and protection from the harsh environment.
• The wounded soldier, trapped and alone, tried to suppress a mewl of pain with each movement, fearing to betray his position to the enemy. Though he tried to be brave, the agony of his injuries caused his body to make involuntary, barely controlled sounds. He longed for medical help, hoping that his mewling wouldn’t alert others to his dire situation.
• The orphaned puppy mewled constantly when left alone, missing its mother and siblings terribly. He spent his days pining for affection and family. His foster parents were patient and loving, providing comfort and playing with him, but his loneliness prompted a constant mewling, as if the puppy knew that the world held no place for the lonely and was begging for connection.
• During the tragic scene of the family’s loss, the character of the child, not fully grasping the concept of death, mewled in the background of the scene. The child's mewling was a heartbreaking contrast to the adults' stoicism, underscoring their profound loss and emphasizing the innocence the child represented. It evoked a strong sense of grief and sorrow among viewers of the play.