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
These trips also have plenty of opportunities to see whales, orcas, and other sea life, with scenic cruising in the Alexander Archipelago’s Frederick Sound. — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026 Four other whales from that transport were brought to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. — Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Seafood Watch placed lobster on its list of seafood to avoid because of the threat posed to rare whales, such as the North Atlantic right whale, by potential entanglement in fishing gear. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 The data showed that sperm whales napping near the surface blew bubbles 11 times on average during their naps, compared to three or four times by those whales making a slow ascent. — ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 The incredible footage came as the team observed Australia’s annual humpback whale migration, when about 50,000 whales travel along the country’s east coast. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Alex Forrest, a volunteer drone pilot with the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), recorded the moment on July 28 during the whales’ northbound migration. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 July 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
  • Steven Spielberg first brought to life the pages of Michael Crichton’s novel about a disastrous attempt to create a theme park with dinosaurs.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
  • So, yes, there’s a reason most of us are right handed and no, dinosaurs have never actually spit venom.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dinosaurs
Verb
  • This hits me personally because my brother, Rescue 5 firefighter Allan Tarasiewicz, was killed that day saving people when the North Tower fell on him, all because of Bin Laden and money from Saudi Arabia.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Skies are expected to remain partly sunny Thursday as the chance of precipitation hits and sticks around through the night, NWS states.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hits
Verb
  • When an airless body, such as an asteroid, occults (or hides) a background star the star's light winks out in an instant, before suddenly reappearing.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Starlink antenna has been built directly into the vehicle’s rear and occupies a rectangular compartment that hides the dish’s signature design.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hides
Verb
  • The first murder is a girl slicing into her slumbering mother’s neck with a hacksaw; then her brother pounds his father’s face in with a baseball bat.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Back from a hamstring injury, Teoscar Hernández rejoins a relentless Dodgers offense that pounds 17 hits and three homers in a 9-4 win over the Athletics.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of pounds
Noun
  • In a scene where Odysseus and his crew come into contact with the Laestrygonians, a tribe of man-eating giants, Dalton, who‘s four and a half feet tall, doubled for Damon.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Fabrizio Romano confirms the final decision rests with Rodri, with both Spanish giants prepared to offer similar transfer fees.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of giants
Verb
  • And if the pizza isn’t enticing enough, Urban Cowboy’s cocktail program punches far above its weight class.
    — Beth Rankin, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
  • As the officer is pinned down, one person repeatedly punches her in the head while another appears to strike her with an unidentified object before a second officer intervenes.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 July 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
  • 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
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 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of whales for Spanish Speakers

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