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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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There are marine and estuary topographies, cypresses, and mangroves.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of buttermilk sand just off Lido Mazzaro, Isola Bella is worth visiting for its pretty hilltop villa and, with a snorkel, for its marine park.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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However, a fresh look at the data sent back by the Cassini robotic orbiter and another go at the sums indicates that the truth might be less oceanic and more akin to a frosty dessert.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Dec. 2025
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Surprisingly, researchers found a unique, massive geological layer wedged between the oceanic crust and the rigid upper mantle.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Japan has launched a month-long deep-sea mission aimed at unlocking a new domestic source of rare earth elements, a move that could reshape how the country secures critical minerals used in electric vehicles, electronics, and defense systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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Tankers are seen at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in the Sharjah Emirate, along the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes on June 23, 2025.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pelagic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelagic. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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