whales 1 of 2

noun

plural of whale
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

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 February last year, more than 150 whales beached off the coast of Tasmania, Australia – and all of them either died or were euthanized – in the first mass stranding of the animals in Tasmania in 50 years. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026 Necropsy reports this week specified the causes of death for two beluga whales at Shedd Aquarium after they were rescued from Canada. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 Four beluga whales relocated from a facility in Canada swim close to one another in a habitat at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium on July 23, 2026. — Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 Several of those whales were endangered humpbacks trapped by crab gear, both commercial and recreational. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 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
  • In the photo, a cake with a gold number 3 could be seen in the center of a table, featuring what appeared to be dinosaurs on it.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Identifying red blood cells in dinosaurs The fossil is a partial hind limb of Aratasaurus museunacionali, a theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of dinosaurs
Verb
  • Emmanwori is tied for fourth on the defense with 27 tackles, despite missing the season opener, and has two sacks, seven quarterback hits and one pass breakup.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Senators elected this November will be in office in 2032, when the retirement trust fund depletion date hits.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of hits
Verb
  • While the fabric is satin, the black color hides stains effortlessly.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The malicious software hides inside the phone's firmware, giving attackers powerful access that ordinary apps never receive.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hides
Verb
  • Higher prices come as Ukraine pounds Russian refineries, forcing Moscow to ban diesel exports.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pounds
Noun
  • Currently, to meet the massive capital requirements of AI infrastructure, American tech giants are expanding financing channels into overseas markets like Europe while extending bond maturities.
    — , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The legal action follows successful lawsuits brought against the tech giants by California and others that have resulted in massive civil settlements.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of giants
Verb
  • Then the officer punches him in the face twice and uses a Taser.
    — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Belgal is seen reversing and then driving out of the parking spot as one of the armed men punches the driver's side window and breaks the glass.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of punches
Verb
  • Paddling along the shoreline of a small lake in the wilderness, as pine and spruce trees hover over the dark water’s edge and the wind whips waves against the canoe, a human knows her place.
    — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Castro whips her head around and follows him, punching him in the back.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of whips
Verb
  • That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 9 Nov. 2026.

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