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
This included 500 years of Black mariners in fishing, sailing, surfing and whaling. — Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 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
Over the next two decades, records are few, most of them noting criminal convictions for fighting in bars, stealing a watch, deserting a whaling ship, and beating his wife. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 In the 1800s, winds pushed whaling boats east to the Azores and Cape Verde, where experienced whalers joined the crews. — Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 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
  • Bhajan clubbing has brought Hindu tradition to the dance floor, providing a sober and spiritual nightlife experience.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of clubbing
Verb
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Risk intelligence gives marketplaces visibility into emerging threats as well as those hiding in plain sight.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In videos posted to his Instagram account, Gallegos can be seen hiding underneath a table as plumes of dust burst in the air and parts of the ceiling crashed into the ground.
    — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiding
Verb
  • Keeber’s eldest son is still pounding the pavement looking for work as employers pull back entry-level hiring.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Video captured by a tourist on board a boat in northern Botswana showed the heart-pounding moment the vessel had to outrun a charging hippo.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of pounding
Noun
  • Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • While mass shootings are still rare in Thailand, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile attacks in recent years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Yan bounded off the mound, slapping his hand against his glove several times, after the inning ended.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Once again, Yan did the whole jumping, landing, ground-slapping thing (no slide this time though).
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • He’s spent the last week whipping senators to support it and even enlisted former Alabama football coach Nick Saban to dial up undecided lawmakers, according to people familiar with the matter.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Battered cars with numbers sprayed on their sides are whipping around the dirt track of the Lebanon Valley Speedway, loose fenders flopping like overgrown bangs in the swirling dust.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • Dubiously sourced accounts followed of Australians who died after drinking toad tea and a man supposedly being imprisoned in South America on toad-licking charges.
    — Kimon de Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s truly nothing like licking that paper lid, then shoveling that tiny tongue depressor into a child-sized serving of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 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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