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
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
-
In other words, for younger visitors who are familiar with Pokémon characters but unfamiliar with various types of dinosaurs, the exhibition is a pathway into real science.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
This spring and summer, an interactive exhibit in Oakland will unleash a whole menagerie of cool dinosaurs upon the populace — turkey-sized velociraptors, spiky stegosaurs and of course big ol T-rex itself.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
But Ohtani entered Wednesday with four doubles and 10 hits total in five games against the Angels and Padres.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
-
After the Sabres were eliminated in the second round of the NHL playoffs with an overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, Tuch and the Sabres have until July 1 to agree on a new contract before the 30-year-old winger hits the open market.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Robert hides his Congolese identity for fear of being deported, or not being allowed education or work.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
The complaint alleges the system hides real-world costs from children who lack the ability to navigate layered currency conversions.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Rain pounds down in a stinging curtain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
But fast food giants have seen mixed success integrating AI into their operations.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
-
Robotics giants like Unitree Robotics and Noetix Robotics have already integrated into the platform.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 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
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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 23 May. 2026.
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