PELAGIC Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

pelagic

adjective

pə-ˈla-jik

Definition of pelagic

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

littoral

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 And although most marine mammals are coastal, some pelagic whales and dolphins dwell far offshore. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Apr. 2026 The same goes for the San Diego-Scripps conservation area, except for the recreational taking of coastal pelagic species (northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel and jack mackerel) by hook and line only. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 Kona Blackwater Dive is an advanced, thrilling dive over deep water (thousands of feet) to witness the nightly migration of pelagic, alien-like and larval creatures. — Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026 Mark Fitchett, a pelagic fisheries scientist, said local small-boat fishers hold a range of views on the sharks and their growing depredation. — CBS News, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pelagic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pelagic

Adjective

November is Manatee Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and protect our beloved official state marine mammal.

— Elizabeth Neville, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The Eco Discovery Center, designed like a treehouse, has a terrarium and benthic tank, while the sea cucumber nursery lets children help regenerate one of Langkawi’s most vital marine species.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of marine

Adjective

Emergence of oceanic exploitation Tuna consumption by people is obviously nothing new.

— Torben Rick, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
El Niño is like dropping a rock in a pond, says Daniel Vimont, professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

— Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of oceanic

Adjective

In the Mediterranean and Middle East, joint projects with institutions in Egypt, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia will focus on ancient civilizations, underwater survey equipment, deep-sea exploration, and heritage preservation.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Few deep-sea species will cause an entire research vessel’s crew to rush into the control room to catch a glimpse—but the barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma) is one of them.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of deep-sea

Browse Nearby Words

pelages

pelagic

pelerine

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Style

“Pelagic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelagic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pelagic

adjective

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