as in dinosaur
something that is unusually large and powerful
a whale of a pickup truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of whale
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Grand Turk and Salt Cay are prime places for whale sightings, but remember to keep your distance when swimming or snorkeling.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
By Stephanie Vermillion and Paris Wilson November 21, 2025
Meet the Woman Helping Steer Some of Alaska’s Most Adventurous Cruises
39-year-old Chief mate Laci Gist opens up about meditative midnight whale encounters and the realities of working at sea.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Dec. 2025
Are space whales going to show up for court without their huge space whale earrings?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whale
Noun
Come for the talking whale, stay for the deep ruminations on belief and fate.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Grand Turk and Salt Cay are prime places for whale sightings, but remember to keep your distance when swimming or snorkeling.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
By Stephanie Vermillion and Paris Wilson November 21, 2025
Meet the Woman Helping Steer Some of Alaska’s Most Adventurous Cruises
39-year-old Chief mate Laci Gist opens up about meditative midnight whale encounters and the realities of working at sea.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Dec. 2025
Are space whales going to show up for court without their huge space whale earrings?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whale
Noun
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In addition to the parks, Moab is home to myriad petroglyphs, seen along Hidden Valley Trail, and dinosaur tracks located within Mill Canyon.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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And if the sneakers themselves didn’t go heavy enough with the prehistoric theme, the shoebox is also fully decked out with a dinosaur motif which, when opened, is intended to look like a Tyrannosaurus opening its mouth.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Weir picked up his first guitar licks from David Nelson and future Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen.—
Richard Gehr,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2026
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Other photos showed Owen proudly licking the faces of his owners and getting some hugs and pats from the reality star, her husband and children.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The president said Thursday that the two mortgage giants under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the mortgage bond purchases.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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An infusion of money and resources await Manchester Memorial and Rockville General Hospitals after health giant Hartford HealthCare purchased them from the private equity company Prospect Medical Holdings days ago.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One defensive stop later, and the Hurricanes clinched their 31-27 win over the Rebels to punch their ticket into the national championship game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Ravens battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial division matchup, where the winner would be crowned AFC North champs and punch its ticket into the postseason, while the loser would be sent packing.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There were some frightening moments early Monday for a Miramar man after police say he was pistol whipped during a home invasion and his French bulldog was stolen.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As wind continues to pound the camp, a wooden pole delicately holds up the tarpaulin keeping him dry.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
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This is a chest-out, table-pounding call to arms for Orlando NFL fans who’ve spent way too long waiting for permission to care.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whale. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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