blacktip shark
noun
black·tip shark
ˈblak-ˌtip- 
variants
or blacktip
or less commonly black-tipped shark
: a small, grayish requiem shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) with black-tipped fins that is widely distributed in coastal tropical and subtropical seas
The vast majority of shark bites are from so-called hit-and-run attacks by smaller species, such as blacktip sharks. They mistake thrashing arms or dangling feet as a prey item, dart in, bite and let go when they realize it's not a fish.—
Tim Friend
Tim FriendExamples of blacktip shark in a Sentence
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Other samples contained vulnerable species of shark, including the spinner, lemon, common thresher and blacktip shark.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 10 Sep. 2025
Smooth hammerheads and blacktip sharks spent comparatively more time near the surface, whereas white sharks, spinner sharks, and dusky sharks were active throughout much of the water column.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Some, like the gray reef shark and blacktip shark, inhabit coral reefs.
—Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025
Though the species of shark behind the recent Volusia County bites is unknown, blacktip sharks are responsible for most of the bites in the region, according to Naylor.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 19 July 2025
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Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 10 Sep. 2025
Smooth hammerheads and blacktip sharks spent comparatively more time near the surface, whereas white sharks, spinner sharks, and dusky sharks were active throughout much of the water column.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Some, like the gray reef shark and blacktip shark, inhabit coral reefs.
—Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025
Though the species of shark behind the recent Volusia County bites is unknown, blacktip sharks are responsible for most of the bites in the region, according to Naylor.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for blacktip shark
Cite this Entry
“Blacktip shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blacktip%20shark. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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