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
Josh Rivera, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Trump blamed wind turbines for mass killing whales and birds.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Can that happen while holed up in a luxury resort, sipping coffee and watching whales from the balcony?
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026
Fin whales, like other large marine life drawn to the area, feast on krill and schooling fish.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
The scientist told me repeatedly of escaping to the ship’s deck and surrounding himself with the openness of the ocean, the beauty of volcanic islands, the whales, the dolphins, the flying fish, and, above all, the seabirds.
—Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
The small fish, also known as remoras, are known for attaching themselves to larger marine animals — including whales and sharks — for protection, free transportation and food.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
The findings suggest whales, like humans, cooperate during birth—something that had never been documented in detail before.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
But Attenborough has had to accept the accolades this week as scientists, politicians and conservationists celebrated the man who has brought frolicking gorillas, breaching whales and tiny poisonous frogs into living rooms around the world for more than 70 years.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
At Icy Strait Point, visitors can spot whales and eagles while supporting a small Alaska community.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Trump blamed wind turbines for mass killing whales and birds.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Can that happen while holed up in a luxury resort, sipping coffee and watching whales from the balcony?
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026
Fin whales, like other large marine life drawn to the area, feast on krill and schooling fish.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
The scientist told me repeatedly of escaping to the ship’s deck and surrounding himself with the openness of the ocean, the beauty of volcanic islands, the whales, the dolphins, the flying fish, and, above all, the seabirds.
—Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
The small fish, also known as remoras, are known for attaching themselves to larger marine animals — including whales and sharks — for protection, free transportation and food.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
The findings suggest whales, like humans, cooperate during birth—something that had never been documented in detail before.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
But Attenborough has had to accept the accolades this week as scientists, politicians and conservationists celebrated the man who has brought frolicking gorillas, breaching whales and tiny poisonous frogs into living rooms around the world for more than 70 years.
—ABC News, 8 May 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
-
Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis belonged to a group of dinosaurs known as sauropods, which were the largest animals ever to walk on land.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
-
Nagatitan belonged to the sauropod family of dinosaurs and lived in the Early Cretaceous period between 100 and 120 million years ago, according to UCL.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
When a heat wave hits, millions of air conditioners switch on at once, straining the electric grid and driving up the risk of outages — and residents’ power bills.—
Kiki Sideris,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Zesica Flutter-sleeve Smocked Midi Dress Flattering and versatile, this dress hits the sweet spot between refined and playful.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
So Daisy hides the truth from everyone but Shu.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
The virus hides out in reservoirs in the body and rebounds fast if people stop treatment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Her silver nail polish—reminiscent of the shade worn by Lou Reed (from one New York legend to another) in footage shown during Todd Haynes’s documentary The Velvet Underground—sparkles as Gaga pounds the keys of her piano throughout the film.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
That game enabled the younger brother to mentally shift from a pitcher prone to walks to a pitcher who now consistently pounds the zone.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Traders have been buying tech giants on dips and selling big-name laggards including Costco, UnitedHealth and Alibaba, according to data from retail trading giant Robinhood Markets published via Sherwood.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
In a post, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos expanded on the company’s ability to influence culture, and to create jobs all around the world, contrasting the company’s investment to other entertainment giants.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
When Beulah’s ne’er-do-well son Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) drunkenly lobs slurs at Azul in a gas station parking lot, Azul reminds him his family’s been in Texas longer than the Jacksons — right before Rip punches Rob-Will out, of course.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
After beating the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime Wednesday, the Cavs’ first road win of the 2026 playoffs, a win Friday at home punches those tickets.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Stephen Fry whips out his phone to snag a picture with Johnny Knoxville inside the Fox Upfront 2026 afterparty in New York City on May 11.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
For good measure, Marty Supreme actress Odessa A’zion literally licks the face of the Stones frontman, who in real life is 82 years old.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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