as in dinosaurs
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 hits
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 hides
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 pounds
to strike repeatedly
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of whales
Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Juvenile whales gently nudged the calf and kept it close to the mother.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
The researchers said this suggests the whales were communicating actively to coordinate the birth and protect the newborn.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Although some whales, cicadas, and tree frogs can sing (or seem to sing) too, this ability also belongs to nearly half of all the world’s birds!
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The collision underscores the growing battle in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean over the future of Antarctic krill, a shrimplike crustacean central to the diet of whales and critical buffer to global warming that's also in demand for use in health supplements, fishmeal and other products.
—CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
According to the Marine Mammal Commission, the most recent population estimates show there are only 51 Rice’s whales remaining.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Groups have sued in recent years, aiming to reduce boat traffic speeds in the area that can strike and kill Rice’s whales and restrict seismic air gun activity that can interfere with whale navigation and communication.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Center for Biological Diversity estimated that the Deepwater Horizon disaster harmed or killed more than eighty thousand birds, six thousand sea turtles, and twenty-five thousand dolphins and whales.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Juvenile whales gently nudged the calf and kept it close to the mother.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
The researchers said this suggests the whales were communicating actively to coordinate the birth and protect the newborn.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Although some whales, cicadas, and tree frogs can sing (or seem to sing) too, this ability also belongs to nearly half of all the world’s birds!
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The collision underscores the growing battle in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean over the future of Antarctic krill, a shrimplike crustacean central to the diet of whales and critical buffer to global warming that's also in demand for use in health supplements, fishmeal and other products.
—CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
According to the Marine Mammal Commission, the most recent population estimates show there are only 51 Rice’s whales remaining.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Groups have sued in recent years, aiming to reduce boat traffic speeds in the area that can strike and kill Rice’s whales and restrict seismic air gun activity that can interfere with whale navigation and communication.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whales
Noun
-
The creature, a blob about the size of a human hand, was found in the Mazon Creek area of Illinois, about 50 miles southwest of Chicago, that is rich in fossils from a period before dinosaurs walked the Earth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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So when a park ranger spotted one while monitoring streams in a remote forest in September 2025, the discovery thrilled scientists and wildlife enthusiasts alike — and offered rare data about an endangered species whose ancestors lived alongside dinosaurs.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Kane had two doubles, two of only three Bishop Moore hits.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What truly sets it apart is the Corner Rover Arm, a unique extendable side brush that reaches into the nooks and crannies where pet hair typically hides.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Unruly salt-and-pepper hair in a long quaff, round glasses and broad smile give James Ortiz the look of a whimsical inventor, the kind that hides away in his workshop crafting extraordinary artifacts.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The logistics giants had been undergoing negotiations since last February, and at times appeared on rocky footing—leading to the earlier winddown threat.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Curry’s collection spans multiple brands from industry giants like Nike and Adidas to boutique labels such as Li-Ning.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pros & Cons Vizio's Mini LED Quantum 4K QLED Smart TV punches far above its weight class.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The operator takes another swing, but the man ducks, punches the operator, then knocks him down, raining punches on his head before a bystander separates the two.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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