Definition of pelagicnext
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

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2
as in oceanic
of, relating to, or occurring in the open sea at one time pelagic whaling was the cornerstone of the island's economy

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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 For the advanced, channels around the islands work like pelagic highways, attracting more than 3,000 different marine species. Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025 But since these pelagic fish spend most of their time at depths of 1,000 feet or more, and are typically only caught by ocean longliners, scientists are still trying to understand their biology and life histories. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2025 Beginners can explore shallow reefs with abundant marine life, while advanced divers can venture to deeper sites with strong currents and the chance to encounter pelagic species. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for pelagic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pelagic
Adjective
  • The company later became known for environmental damage, most notably for causing one of the worst oil spills in history when its supertanker, the Exxon Valdez, spewed millions of gallons of crude oil off Alaska that blackened shorelines and killed marine life.
    Alex Kuffner, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • However, the Corps of Engineers, the city and marine experts say an increasing number of studies and observations show that September or October might be a better time for the annual maintenance.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That appears to be behaving a bit like an oceanic hot spot, leaving a trail of massive eruptions across the Snake River Plain that terminates at the immense calderas beneath present-day Yellowstone.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2026
  • After watching the catch of the day come in, head to the neighboring Umi no Ichi food and shopping hall to grab a bowl of sea-to-table kaisendon—slices of sashimi, jewel-like roe, and other oceanic delights, served atop a bed of rice.
    Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The drugs were seized at London Gateway, a deep-sea container port about 30 miles from London.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Dawn choruses are getting shorter and the oceans echo with the din of transcontinental shipping and deep-sea mining.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pelagic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelagic. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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