Definition of pelagicnext
1
as in marine
of or relating to the sea among pelagic animals the undisputed king is the blue whale, the largest creature currently roaming the face of the earth

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2
as in oceanic
of, relating to, or occurring in the open sea at one time pelagic whaling was the cornerstone of the island's economy

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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 pelagic For the advanced, channels around the islands work like pelagic highways, attracting more than 3,000 different marine species. Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025 But since these pelagic fish spend most of their time at depths of 1,000 feet or more, and are typically only caught by ocean longliners, scientists are still trying to understand their biology and life histories. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2025 Beginners can explore shallow reefs with abundant marine life, while advanced divers can venture to deeper sites with strong currents and the chance to encounter pelagic species. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025 The scientists noticed a drop in their prey, such as small pelagic fishes in the case of seals and smaller benthic sharks in the case of sevengill sharks. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pelagic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pelagic
Adjective
  • Theon Design’s cofounder, Adam Hawley, came armed for the task as a design veteran with a 20-year resume that includes BMW and Jaguar Land Rover, as well as a few aviation and marine clients to boot.
    Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026
  • These collagen supplements are normally fish-based and called marine collagen.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Dogfish have fewer electroreceptors than many open-water species such as blacktips and oceanic whitetips, which are susceptible to longlines meant for tuna and swordfish.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
  • So when scientists discovered slivers of much older continental crust surrounded by younger oceanic material, something didn’t add up.
    Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • During a visit to France in November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took time off from diplomacy to thank a group of French fishermen who are collecting old nets from deep-sea vessels fishing for tuna and other species.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
  • With an itinerary that can swing from luaus to local restaurants and misty uplands to deep-sea diving, Hawaii demands a packing list as versatile as the islands themselves.
    Natalie Hammond, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pelagic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelagic. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

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