manta ray

noun

Definition of manta raynext
as in ray
any of several extremely large rays the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manta ray Nusa Lembongan, the neighboring island connected by the landmark 450-foot-long Yellow Bridge, is where scuba divers seek encounters with manta rays and whales, and snorkeling enthusiasts can spend hours floating above vibrant coral reefs. — Norm Bour, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026 Farah Hamdan is the resident manta ray and marine ecologist, and Emily Hoad is the assistant project manager in the Raa Atoll. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 The film also traces Kennedy’s redemption from a troubled past that included the Hells Angels and time in prison, while highlighting the growing threats facing manta rays and the urgency of protecting them. — Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Silky sharks have also been observed scraping against manta rays near Malpelo Island off Colombia. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for manta ray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manta ray
  1. ray
  2. sea devil
  3. manta
Noun
  • Each image hasX-ray data from Chandra, combined with data from other telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Hubble, IXPE, Swift, and NuSTAR, and others both in space and on the ground.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The hot inner region that would normally produce strong X-rays becomes surrounded by this thick disk.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ray
Noun
  • Among certain species of anglerfish, like those in the sea devil (Ceratiidae) family, males are little more than sperm sacs with nostrils.
    — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2020
Definition of sea devil
Noun
  • From roughly October through March, higher concentrations of plankton can attract larger groups of mantas but make the water cloudier.
    — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The water was sparkly and glittery thanks to the bright sunrays shining through, and one manta even flipped out of the ocean right in front of me.
    — Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of manta

Browse Nearby Words

manta
manta ray
manta rays
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Cite this Entry

“Manta ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manta%20ray. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on manta ray

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manta ray

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