as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood
playtime's over, it's time to gather up the whelps and head home
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Recent Examples of whelp
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
The alpha male was a foster, and his mate whelped — or gave birth — during the same week, making the pack an ideal candidate to receive pups.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 29 July 2024
Given its importance as one of two Northwest Atlantic harp seal whelping grounds, the area is one of Nat Geo’s Best Trips for 2020.
—Jennifer Hayes, National Geographic, 19 Dec. 2019
And from Susan’s line, the queen’s breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor whelped hundreds of corgi puppies.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2018
From the queen's breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor, hundreds of royal corgis have been whelped.
—William Booth, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2018
Noun
Unlikely Meathead, a whelp who spoke from a position of occasionally whiny, frequently wet-behind-the-ears insulation from life’s realities, Reiner had gray in his beard and a lengthy track record of using his podium for good.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Owners can help the process by giving them a whelping box.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
The alpha male was a foster, and his mate whelped — or gave birth — during the same week, making the pack an ideal candidate to receive pups.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 29 July 2024
Given its importance as one of two Northwest Atlantic harp seal whelping grounds, the area is one of Nat Geo’s Best Trips for 2020.
—Jennifer Hayes, National Geographic, 19 Dec. 2019
And from Susan’s line, the queen’s breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor whelped hundreds of corgi puppies.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2018
From the queen's breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor, hundreds of royal corgis have been whelped.
—William Booth, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whelp
Noun
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Watch this video for tips on finding age-appropriate books for kids.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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The former Fortune 100 company marketing executive rescued a white rabbit that a family with kids no longer wanted.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Families The resort is for adults only (children aged over 16 are welcome).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Others spent decades behind bars, leaving their children without mothers or fathers.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Morobe sired two daughters as part of a breeding program.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
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Spike had sired three elephant calves at other zoos, but none survived.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Courtesy Ricardo Martinez Martinez and Gordon's petition had garnered local attention, with about 3,000 signatures and residents expressing concern over the fate of Blondie’s two cubs, by the time Blondie was euthanized.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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Backlash after officials kill a SoCal mama bear Her two cubs, believed to be 2 to 3 months old, will spend the rest of their childhood in captivity in the hopes that they can one day be released back into the wild.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Big Lake Humane Society pup Shishi also will compete for Team Ruff, while Mia Muffin is on Team Fluff.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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The bats have only one baby — or pup — per year.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The funny thing is, Austin fathered seven children in all, but only Dot, Betty and Helen were coerced into performing, and their father’s monomania is compared, quite alarmingly, to such bullying stage fathers as Murray Wilson (The Beach Boys) and Joe Jackson (The Jackson 5).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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Delivering bad news In 2001, Jesse faced a scandal for having an affair that resulted in him fathering a child.—
Rick Davis,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to Flores and Velasquez, one of the deputies took a liking to a family kitten and offered to take it home with him.—
Jeff Ernsthausen,
ProPublica,
23 Mar. 2026
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As an independent music artist, Kerensa is no stranger to social media—but didn’t expect Pomelo kitten to become an internet star.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Modeled on the tragedy at Chappaquiddick Island—where Mary Jo Kopechne and Senator Edward Kennedy died under similar circumstances—Oates’ book shows how great power can beget violence.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Sam Hoiberg sat at the far end of the Nebraska bench and watched one dismal loss beget the next.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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