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
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Recent Examples of whales
Neal Riley, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Why did so many whales die here?
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
This ocean region is known to host numerous species of beaked whales, and fossil skulls of such whales have been discovered nearby, snagged by trawlers or long-line fishing vessels in deep-sea regions off Iberia, South Africa and the Kerguelen Islands.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Go to the Valley of Whales, a UNESCO site where forty million years ago whales still had legs.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In the clip, passengers on the boat cheer as the whales surface around the vessel.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Why did so many whales die here?
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
For a truly memorable experience, the travel pro recommends chartering a yacht through the Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route known for glacier views and frequent wildlife sightings, including bears and whales.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Entanglement and vessel strikes are the leading causes of death for the whales.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Why did so many whales die here?
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
This ocean region is known to host numerous species of beaked whales, and fossil skulls of such whales have been discovered nearby, snagged by trawlers or long-line fishing vessels in deep-sea regions off Iberia, South Africa and the Kerguelen Islands.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Go to the Valley of Whales, a UNESCO site where forty million years ago whales still had legs.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In the clip, passengers on the boat cheer as the whales surface around the vessel.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Why did so many whales die here?
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
For a truly memorable experience, the travel pro recommends chartering a yacht through the Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route known for glacier views and frequent wildlife sightings, including bears and whales.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Verb
Killer whales off New England The aquarium says killer whale sightings are uncommon in New England waters.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whales
Noun
-
Being in Steven Spielberg's sci-fi actioner was a career high for everyone involved, but some cast members have soared even higher since walking with dinosaurs.—
Huntley Woods,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
-
The asteroid impact that doomed the dinosaurs may also have built one of Earth's longest-lasting underground ecosystems.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Quick hits Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, who is seeing time at safety, blitzed Pickett for a would-be sack during 11-on-11 work.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
He's recorded 135 total tackles, 24 sacks, and 53 quarterback hits.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
Namely, the Bavarian flag hides a red Nazi flag, and someone also covered up soldiers, Nazi salutes by passersby, and wreaths on the Mahnmal der Bewegung monument.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Teams go bonkers when the player pounds their school name on the bracket.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2026
-
Rain pounds down in a stinging curtain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The deal also comes at a time of biotech dealmaking frenzy, driven by looming patent cliffs, newly buoyant public markets and pharma giants’ race to bolster their pipelines.—
Anniek Bao,Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
-
Analysts have said Microsoft’s Xbox consoles and Game Pass subscription service have underperformed, caught between traditional gaming giants and cheaper, casual rivals like the Nex Playground active game system.—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Food and drink The restaurant is intimate, with seating for 40, but the food punches way above its weight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
Many of these nations have spent years building a footballing infrastructure that punches well above their demographic weight.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The vessel bends, blocks, and whips the wind into complex micro-currents before the air ever hits the sails.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
In the fourth minute, Meschack Elia whips a ball across the box to Bakambu, eight yards from goal.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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