whales 1 of 2

noun

plural of whale
as in dinosaurs
something that is unusually large and powerful a whale of a pickup truck

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whales

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of whale
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

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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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whales
Noun
In July, Shedd said it had been asked to help rehome up to 10 beluga whales because of its experience caring for belugas and its specialized habitats. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The knowledge center aims to help people understand our relationship with whales and their natural habitat. — New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026 The Canadian government finally approved a plan to export the whales to the Shedd Aquarium and four other marine parks in January. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 His compositions not only follow a consistent musical thread but also explore different stages of life, diving into themes ranging from personal growth and transformation to the meaning of the sound of whales. — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026 The three new arrivals will join SeaWorld San Diego’s other belugas, a roster that includes three other whales transported there from Marineland. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 More than 1,000 whales are typically killed each year, despite ongoing concerns over high levels of heavy metals in the meat. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 While transporting large mammals like whales, dolphins and polar bears by plane isn’t unheard of — SeaWorld has been doing it for decades, says Eric Otjen, vice president of zoological operations at the San Diego park. — Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 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
  1. dinosaurs
  2. hits
  3. hides
  4. pounds
  5. giants
  6. punches
  7. whips
  8. licks
Noun
  • Hathaway plays a suburban mom whose neighborhood is suddenly and mysteriously transported from 1982 to prehistoric times, putting family and neighbors at the mercy of hungry dinosaurs.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The real end of Oak Street comes not from the feet and chompers of the dinosaurs but from a moviemaker who revives the idyllic 1980s only to desecrate them with wokeness.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of dinosaurs
Verb
  • More importantly, the Grammy-winning album hits 104 weeks on the tally.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This one from Quince hits at the perfect length, right below the hips, and the dark-brown collar and cuffs are incredibly rich-looking.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of hits
Verb
  • The expansion will take players to the brand new realm of Letten — an idyllic land of rural tradition that hides a dark secret just below the surface.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Who’s flaunting their skeletal frame and who hides a bit behind a couture wall of feathers?
    — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hides
Verb
  • Part of the problem is that every summer, water pounds down on sidewalks in the Treasure Valley, drops rippling on glassy reflective surfaces, all because of sprinkler jets overshooting the grass and landing on pavement.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine pounds Russia with long-range strikes At the same time, Ukraine has shifted the war onto Russian soil through long-range drone strikes on oil facilities that have caused fuel shortages across Russia.
    — Volodymyr Yurchuk, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of pounds
Noun
  • David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Taylor Farms, along with other food service giants such as US Foods and Sysco, has become bigger and more vital in part by buying other companies.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The most rewarding part has been witnessing the power of Manoj and Boman – two giants of cinema – working together for the first time in this film.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of giants
Verb
  • That Febreze bottle is empty and the scented candle burned out — the current Giants’ stink punches you right in the nose, mouth and eyes.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • After a 20-yard throw and catch, Andrew Chung to Yuto Kawamura-Johnson, Warriors RB Jayden Ammons punches it in for a 1-yard TD.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of punches
Verb
  • Instead of floating crosses in, Saka either whips his deliveries low near the six-yard box or works a slightly more central position to cut the ball back with a firmer connection.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of whips
Verb
  • Later, a woman protractedly licks blue ice cream from a cone, her attempts thwarted by ferocious gusts of wind and sand.
    — Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Definition of licks

Browse Nearby Words

whalers
whales
whaling
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Cite this Entry

“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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