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
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The fewer than 100 Rice’s whales remaining live across the Gulf but are most common off Florida, and the opinion estimated that drilling will kill nine Rice’s whales through vessel strikes and seriously injure three more over the next 45 years.
—Christian Wagley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
The remote location, only accessible by helicopter or float plane, means guests are likely to spot bears, deer, and whales regularly.
—Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Now, to me, whales, wild animals, don’t take chances.
—Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025
Typically, scientists collect samples from wild whales by getting close to them in a boat, and then shooting a dart gun to snag a small skin sample.
—Juana Summers, NPR, 26 Dec. 2025
And the global population of whales declined precipitously to the point of near extinction.
—Justin Worland, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
But for the population, which stands at 384 whales, to rebound from its substantial losses in the past decade, many more calves will need to be born.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The fewer than 100 Rice’s whales remaining live across the Gulf but are most common off Florida, and the opinion estimated that drilling will kill nine Rice’s whales through vessel strikes and seriously injure three more over the next 45 years.
—Christian Wagley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
The remote location, only accessible by helicopter or float plane, means guests are likely to spot bears, deer, and whales regularly.
—Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Now, to me, whales, wild animals, don’t take chances.
—Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025
Typically, scientists collect samples from wild whales by getting close to them in a boat, and then shooting a dart gun to snag a small skin sample.
—Juana Summers, NPR, 26 Dec. 2025
And the global population of whales declined precipitously to the point of near extinction.
—Justin Worland, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whales
Noun
-
It has recently been determined that this family of dinosaurs was heavily feathered—a rare marking on Spike’s wrist might be further evidence of this, Christie’s says.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In the series, audiences will learn more about the animals that lived in the Pleistocene era, millions of years after the extinction of the dinosaurs, including the Megalonyx jeffersonii (also known as the snow sloth).—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
So many conversations about so many things and for some reason that’s what hits home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
When a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse hits her desk, Diane’s questions about the buyer’s identity lead to what could be the story of a lifetime.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And while Americans’ overall ideological self-identification looks stable in the aggregate (37% very conservative/conservative, 34% moderate, 25% very liberal/liberal), a January 2025 Gallup poll shows that this steadiness hides tectonic tensions tugging beneath the surface.—
Robert T.F. Downes,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Now, Scieszka’s debut filters Tuck Everlasting-esque immortality through the social media age—examining how someone hides their eternal lifespan from facial recognition technology and venture capitalists looking to capitalize upon family property and the ultimate anti-aging secrets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The president said Thursday that the two mortgage giants under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the mortgage bond purchases.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Royal Caribbean Group broke ground on a new terminal at PortMiami on Thursday, a sign that cruise giants continue to see the 305 as a key source of passengers.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Coley punches back, and Sonya manages to pull her off of him.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
17 Dec. 2025
-
Red Masks hold Fiona back Fiona as Constance punches her multiple times.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Marty whips off his sport coat and throws it in the crowd.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Everybody licks the big pink flesh wall.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Nov. 2025
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Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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