whelp

noun

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\ ˈ(h)welp

Definition of whelp

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of the young of various carnivorous mammals and especially of the dog

2 : a young boy or girl

whelp

verb

whelped; whelping; whelps

Definition of whelp (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to give birth to —used of various carnivores and especially the dog

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about whelp

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Synonyms & Antonyms for whelp

Synonyms: Noun

bairn
[chiefly Scottish],
bambino,
bud,
chap
[Southern & Midland],
chick,
child,
cub,
juvenile,
kid,
kiddie
(also kiddy),
kiddo,
moppet,
sprat,
sprout,
squirt,
youngling,
youngster,
youth

Antonyms: Noun

adult,
grown-up

Examples of whelp in a Sentence

Noun playtime's over, it's time to gather up the whelps and head home Verb The dog whelped in March.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Given its importance as one of two Northwest Atlantic harp seal whelping grounds, the area is one of Nat Geo’s Best Trips for 2020. — Jennifer Hayes, National Geographic, 19 Dec. 2019 And from Susan’s line, the queen’s breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor whelped hundreds of corgi puppies. — William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2018 From the queen's breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor, hundreds of royal corgis have been whelped. — William Booth, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whelp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.