crybaby

USAGE SUMMARY

"crybaby" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun used to refer to someone who cries easily, usually as a response to minor disappointment or frustration. For example, "Tim's friends called him a crybaby because he started to tear up when he didn't get the job he wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then last week America witnessed another "pastor eruption"—Father Michael Pfleger, a white Catholic, mocking Hillary Clinton as an "entitled" white crybaby.

The Economist

(His threat to "snuff out" the owner of a gun shop earned him a brief suspension from the priesthood in 2011; he has also mocked Hillary Clinton for being a white crybaby).

The Economist

The party was in danger of joining the "crybaby caucus", he said.

The Economist

She is properly hilarious about Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan whom she writes off as "a crybaby".

Independent

After the word "crybaby" can be heard, Wawrinka turned to Federer, clearly angered, and asks "What did she say?" as the crowd jeers.

Independent

Either that or he's just a big crybaby.

The New Yorker

"Crybaby," Windsor said, and patted her on the shoulder.

The New Yorker

If a candidate complains about not being given as much time to speak as the other candidates, the audience may make crybaby noises.

The New Yorker

On Twitter, Phelps-Roper taunted the group's members as "crybaby hackers".

The New Yorker

That action may have only served to provoke the United States, which issued a subsequent statement characterizing the nation's twenty-second state as nothing but a big crybaby.

The New Yorker

In the same interview in which Anthony Burgess sneered at crybaby Americans, he concluded by saying that a writer can never be happy: "The anxiety involved is intolerable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic contexts, use the term to quote others or to characterize a public figure's perceived lack of resilience in a colloquial way.

Common error

Avoid using "crybaby" when you intend to describe genuine emotional distress or clinical sensitivity. Using it in such contexts can come across as insensitive or bullying rather than analytical.

Linguistic Context

As a noun, "crybaby" functions as a descriptive label, often serving as a pejorative epithet in both spoken and written English. In many examples from Ludwig, it acts as the subject complement or an object of a verb of calling or labeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "crybaby" is a robust and widely used noun in the English language, particularly within News & Media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct but carries a strong pejorative connotation. It is most effectively used when describing a person's perceived immaturity or over-sensitivity to minor issues. While very common in journalistic writing to add color or character to an argument, it should be avoided in Academic or Formal & Business writing due to its informal and subjective nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whiner

Focuses specifically on the act of complaining in an annoying, high-pitched or repetitive way.

sniveller

Evokes the physical act of crying or whimpering in a contemptible manner.

complainer

A more neutral, descriptive term for someone who expresses dissatisfaction frequently.

bellyacher

An idiomatic and slightly old-fashioned way to describe someone who complains habitually.

moaner

Common in British English to describe someone who finds fault with everything.

grumbler

Suggests low-level, constant dissatisfaction rather than emotional outbursts.

sissy

A more aggressive and often gendered insult implying cowardice or lack of toughness.

wimp

Emphasizes a lack of courage or physical strength rather than just the act of crying.

softie

A much milder, sometimes affectionate term for someone who is emotionally sensitive.

fusspot

Focuses on being overly concerned with trivial details rather than emotional frailty.

FAQs

How to use "crybaby" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone who reacts with excessive emotion to minor setbacks, such as: "He was such a "crybaby" after losing the game".

What can I say instead of "crybaby"?

Depending on the tone you want, you can use terms like "whiner", "complainer" or "sensitive person".

Is "crybaby" an insult?

Yes, when applied to an adult or older child, it is generally considered a pejorative term used to mock their lack of emotional control or resilience.

What's the difference between "crybaby" and "whiner"?

While both are negative, a "whiner" primarily complains verbally, whereas a "crybaby" implies a more childish, emotional, or tearful reaction.