as in dinosaurs
something that is unusually large and powerful
a whale of a pickup truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Data collected in this study could also help keep fishing activities away from these whales.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026
Animal migration routes might look chaotic on a map, but birds, whales, turtles and more forge these paths for specific reasons.
—Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Entanglement and vessel strikes are two of the most serious threats to whales.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 15 June 2026
The domoic acid works its way up the food chain, often in anchovies and sardines, which are then eaten by pelicans, sea lions, whales and other animals.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Like all large whales, the NOAA said fin whales were hunted by commercial whalers and their populations were decimated.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Data collected in this study could also help keep fishing activities away from these whales.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026
Animal migration routes might look chaotic on a map, but birds, whales, turtles and more forge these paths for specific reasons.
—Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Entanglement and vessel strikes are two of the most serious threats to whales.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 15 June 2026
The domoic acid works its way up the food chain, often in anchovies and sardines, which are then eaten by pelicans, sea lions, whales and other animals.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 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
-
The mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs gets most of the buzz, but there was an even worse bout of mass death ages before the dinosaurs said goodbye.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
-
Your kids can pick out their favorite pattern—dinosaurs, flowers, rainbows, and cars are all options—and the bag can be tucked into their backpack, tote, or duffel.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
So sure, stuff hits the cutting room floor.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
In a crowded year for chilling debuts, director Adrian Chiarella and actors Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen impress with a fear that hits close to home.—
Jen Yamato,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The script hides serious moral and ethical conversations about fame, political violence, and powerful institutions amongst jokes about hashbrowns.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
-
Rehka literally hides under a table to avoid him.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 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 contributions to Becerra and Bonta are one signal that AI giants and their employees have taken notice, investing in state elections in addition to congressional races.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
At the top, the commodity and energy giants that have anchored the list since its 2024 debut are slowing down.—
Andrew Staples,
Fortune,
16 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
-
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 22 Jun. 2026.
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