as in dinosaur
something that is unusually large and powerful
a whale of a pickup truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to hide
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whale
David Nikel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Boaters were left stunned after seeing 100 sea creatures off the coast of California, a whale-watching company said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The creature looks like a giant celestial jellyfish and makes sounds like a whale.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
To the young Lloyd, these were marvelous hidden worlds, out of sight but no less interesting than fish and whales.
—Laura Poppick, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whale
Noun
Between November and February, whale watching tours head into the fjords to spot humpback and killer whales feeding in numbers.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Boaters were left stunned after seeing 100 sea creatures off the coast of California, a whale-watching company said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The creature looks like a giant celestial jellyfish and makes sounds like a whale.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
To the young Lloyd, these were marvelous hidden worlds, out of sight but no less interesting than fish and whales.
—Laura Poppick, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whale
Noun
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Nearby, kids will also enjoy discovering faux dinosaur bones and skulls huddled among the trees and shrubbery.—
Jeanine Barone,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The bones were recovered from the São José do Rio Preto Formation, known for its abundance of dinosaur remains.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In corroborating much of the testimony Pentagon intelligence official David Grusch offered in July 2023, Elizondo also accused the Department of Defense of hiding its UFO programs from Congress while misappropriating funds to operate them.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
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The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Analysts Craig Moffett’s rating change follows a sharp rally for the tech giant.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
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The online retail giant is cracking down on the practice.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After McNeil refused to get out of his car, Bowers smashed the driver’s side window, punched McNeil in the head and pulled him out of the SUV.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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But the biggest red flag comes in the first episode when Laura sees Cherry punch a guy on the street shortly after their first family dinner in London.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His best friend’s little sister sets out to whip him back into shape.—
Tessa Bailey,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Boaters were the last to be warned to watch the sky as a line of wind-whipping storms pushed out to sea.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rain pounded so hard Friday afternoon that Aventura police closed a portion of Biscayne Boulevard from 191st Street to 29th Avenue, near Aventura Mall, due to road flooding.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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TikTok videos often feature variations where pranksters pound on or kick people’s front doors.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whale. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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