1
as in marine
of or relating to the sea
among pelagic animals the undisputed king is the blue whale, the largest creature currently roaming the face of the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pelagic
The scientists noticed a drop in their prey, such as small pelagic fishes in the case of seals and smaller benthic sharks in the case of sevengill sharks.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Some 134,000 tons of frozen pelagic fish — such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats and herring — are thawed and tossed into European tuna cages every year.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Tropic Fish is known for being a pelagic fishery with a remarkably sustainable footprint.
—Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The usual hue of the living version is greenish-brown, according to John Ugoretz, pelagic fisheries and ecosystem program manager for the department.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pelagic
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Some 134,000 tons of frozen pelagic fish — such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats and herring — are thawed and tossed into European tuna cages every year.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Tropic Fish is known for being a pelagic fishery with a remarkably sustainable footprint.
—Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The usual hue of the living version is greenish-brown, according to John Ugoretz, pelagic fisheries and ecosystem program manager for the department.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pelagic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pelagic
Adjective
-
This natural formation of limestone rocks is a popular place to look for fish and other marine life, including dolphins.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Scientists have also predicted that such events could become more common due to factors such as global warming, the arrival of invasive marine species, habitat loss of predators, and over-fishing.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Research published in 2008 links the seismic activity to a slab of oceanic crust sinking into Earth’s mantle.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
My favorites are the oceanic greens and blues, one of which reminds me of a Rothko.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Jackson Denio, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 120 pounds, set out on an overnight deep-sea fishing trip with about 30 other people off Cashes Ledge, a fishing ground off the New England Coast.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Using high-resolution bathymetric maps from its deep-sea sonar surveys, along with real-time oceanographic data on temperature, salinity, and currents collected by buoys and research vessels, the PLA has built detailed models of acoustic propagation.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pelagic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelagic. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share