as in rays
any of several extremely large rays
a manta glided along the sea bottom
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Recent Examples of mantas
The resident Manta Trust team has catalogued 150 individual rays and uses the world's first underwater contactless ultrasound scanner to check on pregnant mantas, while the Olive Ridley Project leads turtle research across Laamu Atoll.
—
Jonny Bierman, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
The mantas are still spotted in May and October, but in fewer numbers.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Divers can expect to explore underwater cliffs and walls teeming with mantas, tuna, and various species of sharks.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025
Jonny Bierman, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
The mantas are still spotted in May and October, but in fewer numbers.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Divers can expect to explore underwater cliffs and walls teeming with mantas, tuna, and various species of sharks.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mantas
rays
Noun
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That matters because the gas inside galaxy clusters constantly radiates energy away in X-rays and should gradually cool over time, and scientists suspect energy released by supermassive black holes, known as AGN feedback, helps reheat that gas and prevent runaway cooling.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
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Each of the 22 rays is represented in the primary somatosensory cortex by a distinct morphological module — a stripe of tissue identifiable under cytochrome oxidase staining, arranged in a pattern that mirrors the star’s geometry.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mantas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mantas. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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