as in rays
any of several extremely large rays
the manta ray blended in beautifully with the sandy ocean floor
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Recent Examples of manta rays
Upon entering the Visitor's Center, guests are greeted by life-size models of North Atlantic right whales, dolphins, and manta rays, along with dioramas depicting marshes, sand dunes, and coastal habitats.
—
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Highlights include night snorkeling with giant manta rays, biking around the Hualalai Volcano, and learning about native Hawaiian culture.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.
—Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
The cave and surrounding extensions of reefs hold incredible wildlife, including tropical fish, manta rays, and even an occasional shark.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
More folk are looking for escapes that take them to the most remote corners of earth—many of which these larger animals like humpback whales, sperm whales, and giant manta rays call home.
—Luke Abrahams, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
The ocean harvest regulations endorsed by the commission Wednesday would limit the taking of giant manta rays in Florida waters for aquarium display to one every two years.
—News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.
—Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Other iconic marine animals, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and manta rays, were also added to a list that bans all the commercial trade of their species or by-products.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
Highlights include night snorkeling with giant manta rays, biking around the Hualalai Volcano, and learning about native Hawaiian culture.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.
—Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
The cave and surrounding extensions of reefs hold incredible wildlife, including tropical fish, manta rays, and even an occasional shark.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
More folk are looking for escapes that take them to the most remote corners of earth—many of which these larger animals like humpback whales, sperm whales, and giant manta rays call home.
—Luke Abrahams, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
The ocean harvest regulations endorsed by the commission Wednesday would limit the taking of giant manta rays in Florida waters for aquarium display to one every two years.
—News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.
—Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Other iconic marine animals, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and manta rays, were also added to a list that bans all the commercial trade of their species or by-products.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manta rays
rays
Noun
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Patients can get an oral exam, X-rays, dentures, root canals, and more.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Bright streaks known as ejecta rays can be seen streaking away from young impact craters in Odendahl's photo, whose existence testifies to the incredible force unleashed in their creation.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manta rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manta%20rays. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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