: a large long-snouted crocodilian (Gavialis gangeticus of the family Gavialidae) of India
Examples of gharial in a Sentence
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In a 2012 study published in PLOS One, researchers measured the bite force and tooth pressure across all 23 living crocodilian species (i.e., crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials).
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Today’s crocodiles, alligators and gharials represent just a small surviving branch of a once-vast lineage.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Today’s crocodiles, alligators and gharials are the last survivors of a much more varied lineage.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
The Fort Worth Zoo is currently home to three adult female gharials and one male.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
This lineage is about 230 million years old and includes modern crocodiles, alligators, and gharials and their numerous extinct relatives.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
Beware of giant spiders:Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
Critically endangered
Over 1,500 gharials live in the wild in India and Nepal, according to National Geographic.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2024
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Today’s crocodiles, alligators and gharials represent just a small surviving branch of a once-vast lineage.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Today’s crocodiles, alligators and gharials are the last survivors of a much more varied lineage.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
The Fort Worth Zoo is currently home to three adult female gharials and one male.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
This lineage is about 230 million years old and includes modern crocodiles, alligators, and gharials and their numerous extinct relatives.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
Beware of giant spiders:Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
Critically endangered
Over 1,500 gharials live in the wild in India and Nepal, according to National Geographic.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Gharial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gharial. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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