whaling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of whalingnext
as in clubbing

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whaling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of whale
1
as in smacking
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 hiding
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 pounding
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 whaling
Noun
The backstory The hotel occupies the former IXL jam factory, a three-story building that began as a whaling shed. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026 In the 19th and early 20th centuries, eastern North Pacific gray whale populations were devastated by commercial whaling. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 25 May 2026
Verb
Westport Point, situated at the confluence of the east and west branches of the Westport River, was once a center of the fishing and whaling industry. — Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026 The expedition set sail on May 19, 1845, and was last seen in July 1845 in Baffin Bay by the captains of two whaling ships. — ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for whaling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whaling
  1. clubbing
  2. smacking
  3. hiding
  4. pounding
  5. attack
  6. slapping
  7. whipping
  8. licking
Noun
  • Some of the banner’s most successful cultural initiatives include Cinema Paradiso, a festival dedicated to movies, food and clubbing which has been housed at some of Paris’ most prestigious venues, from the Grand Palais to the Louvre.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 June 2026
  • Tilley was a close friend of Bowery’s after meeting while out clubbing, and in 2025 wrote his biography.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Definition of clubbing
Verb
  • With a Triple-A pitcher called up for a spot start and a utilityman smacking an early two-run homer, the Boston Red Sox, having now won eight straight games, keep winning with an unlikely formula.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • The first mode is a more simple impact detonation — simply put, smacking the asteroid's surface to create a shallow crater, in which a nuclear device is exploded.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Juro is collecting worthy Jedi to help repopulate the Jedi Order, but evil Sith mercenaries are hiding within his candidates’ ranks.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 July 2026
  • Most schemes involved hiding behind computer screens, renting nonexistent apartments or exploiting a grandparent’s love by asking for a grandchild’s fake bail.
    — Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Definition of hiding
Verb
  • Saturday’s match was missing the loud Latin passion and party atmosphere that South American teams’ fans would have brought; the near-constant singing and chanting to a steady pounding drumbeat.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
  • The drums began pounding; the rain started to beat down even harder.
    — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of pounding
Noun
  • Iran’s new energy weapon Following the start of US- and Israeli-led attacks on February 28, Iran almost immediately declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, creating the largest oil supply shock in history.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • But when their panel ended, the sports stars got into a heated exchange that ended with Brady slapping Paul in the face.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • As seen in a video posted by Fanatics on Instagram and X, the former NFL quarterback traded words with Paul face-to-face before slapping him, and was ultimately pulled away.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Hanoi’s famous egg coffee—made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk into a rich, velvety foam—was born during a time when fresh milk was scarce.
    — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026
  • Onstage, Shakira unleashed her inner rock star during the song, working the stage and the mic stand in a purple corset and matching fringe pants and whipping her lengthy curls like a weapon.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • Some of the flames come close to licking the glass, as the wildfire blows across the tracks.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 15 July 2026
  • Signs paws have already been burned include limping, refusing to walk, licking or chewing feet, darker or damaged pads and visible blisters or redness.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of licking

Browse Nearby Words

whales
whaling
wham
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Cite this Entry

“Whaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whaling. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whaling

Nglish: Translation of whaling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whaling

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