Definition

Noun: 1. A person, especially a child, who cries frequently or with little cause: This is the most common meaning. A crybaby is someone who cries easily, often over minor problems or disappointments. 2. A person who complains excessively: This extends the meaning to an adult or anyone who habitually expresses dissatisfaction or distress in a whining or childish manner.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Don't be such a crybaby; it's only a small scratch.
  • The team captain called him a crybaby for complaining about the referee's decision.
  • She was labeled the office crybaby because she always whined about her workload.

Advanced Usage

• Used as a modifier: The term can function attributively to describe behavior or traits.
  • He has a crybaby attitude whenever things don't go his way.
• Figurative use: Can be applied to organizations or groups perceived as complaining unjustly.
  • The opposing party accused the government of being a bunch of crybabies about the media criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Cry-baby (noun): An alternative hyphenated spelling with the same meaning.

Synonyms

• Whiner: A person who complains in a feeble or petulant way.
• Complainer: A person who expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance frequently.
• Sore loser: A person who becomes upset or angry after losing a game or contest. (This is a specific context for 'crybaby').
• Milksop (dated): A timid or feeble man or boy.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To cry like a baby: To weep uncontrollably or in a manner considered childish.
  • After watching the sad movie, he cried like a baby.
• To play the crybaby: To deliberately act in a whining or complaining manner to gain sympathy.
  • Stop playing the crybaby and just do your share of the work.

Noun

1. a person given to excessive complaints and crying and whining
2. a person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy