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
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Recent Examples of whales
ABC News, 3 June 2026
While much research on animal communication focuses on large mammals thought to have relatively rich communication systems, such as primates and cetaceans (whales and dolphins), Birch said the judges try to cast a wide zoological net.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
For a truly memorable experience, the travel pro recommends chartering a yacht through the Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route known for glacier views and frequent wildlife sightings, including bears and whales.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Curious cockatoos often come to breakfast, turtles swim by the private beach, and whales make their winter migration through the Dent Passage, directly in front of Long Pavilion.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
When the community of whales and dolphins changed, so too did the sharks that fed on them.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Taylor’s short time with the whales in their annual migration inspired her to write a short story.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026
Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network is a nonprofit focused on protecting marine mammals, including dolphins, whales and seals in South Carolina waters.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Beautiful beaches, breaching whales and blazing volcanoes aside, the melting pot of cultures amid your enchanting islands has certainly created the most delicious one.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Twenty whales — 19 belugas and one killer whale — have died at Marineland since 2019, according to provincial government data obtained through freedom-of-information laws and official statements.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
While much research on animal communication focuses on large mammals thought to have relatively rich communication systems, such as primates and cetaceans (whales and dolphins), Birch said the judges try to cast a wide zoological net.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
For a truly memorable experience, the travel pro recommends chartering a yacht through the Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route known for glacier views and frequent wildlife sightings, including bears and whales.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Curious cockatoos often come to breakfast, turtles swim by the private beach, and whales make their winter migration through the Dent Passage, directly in front of Long Pavilion.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
When the community of whales and dolphins changed, so too did the sharks that fed on them.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Taylor’s short time with the whales in their annual migration inspired her to write a short story.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026
Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network is a nonprofit focused on protecting marine mammals, including dolphins, whales and seals in South Carolina waters.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Beautiful beaches, breaching whales and blazing volcanoes aside, the melting pot of cultures amid your enchanting islands has certainly created the most delicious one.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 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
-
Some are composites assembled from multiple dinosaurs or replica bones to create the illusion of a more complete skeleton.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 May 2026
-
Kank australis belongs to the unenlagiids, a family of small-to-medium theropod dinosaurs discovered across Late Cretaceous deposits in South America, Antarctica, Australia, and Madagascar.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Carney hits the best notes at the film’s beginning and most notably at its tear-you-up end.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
Albert Pujols hits his 600th home run, the historic blast being a 4th-inning grand slam off Ervin Santana of the Twins in a 7-2 Angels win.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Gibbard hides from rain, opts for Irish goodbyes, and resorts to giving himself pep talks to drag himself out of bed.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2026
-
Even Adam’s irritable female boss, Suzie (Sasheer Zamata), hides under a people-pleasing mask.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 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
-
Within weeks of being sworn in to helm the FHFA, which oversees the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Pulte shattered norms by quickly jettisoning executives and policies.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
The timing of the rule changes is auspicious for the tech giants.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
During an intense scene, Simon punches a hole through a fellow actor’s face.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
-
Food and drink Cosmo still punches above its weight on dining.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
A lot of freedom going on between the guitars, a lotta little licks intermingle with the big guitar licks that the song is all about.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
22 May 2026
-
At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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