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
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
Come nightfall, clouds of plankton swarm Kaunaoa's waters, bringing flocks of feasting manta rays to the shallows.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 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
The outlet noted that they have been known to catch a ride on other sea life, such as manta rays and dolphins.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
In the absence of whales, sucker fish avoid predators by seeking other large creatures to latch onto, including manta rays, dolphins and unlucky scuba divers.
—CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Come nightfall, clouds of plankton swarm Kaunaoa's waters, bringing flocks of feasting manta rays to the shallows.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 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
The outlet noted that they have been known to catch a ride on other sea life, such as manta rays and dolphins.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
In the absence of whales, sucker fish avoid predators by seeking other large creatures to latch onto, including manta rays, dolphins and unlucky scuba divers.
—CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manta rays
rays
Noun
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Investigators put Melinda's dental records and old X-rays, as well as DNA from family members, in a database, Callahan said.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
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The researchers found that regions around neutron star mergers produce gamma-rays with high energy, but this radiation was unable to escape.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manta rays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manta%20rays. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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