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
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
When a captive mother whelps, or gives birth on her own, managers match her pups with a wild den using GPS coordinates from radio collars placed on packs’ breeding alpha male and female.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 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
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
When a captive mother whelps, or gives birth on her own, managers match her pups with a wild den using GPS coordinates from radio collars placed on packs’ breeding alpha male and female.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 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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For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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The rooms were basic, and the few guests were scrappy club kids taking a break from Ibiza to work on their tans.—
Julia Chaplin,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Noun
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While recording a commercial focused on hopes for one’s children, the script struck a personal chord.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Ventura is pregnant with her third child with her husband Alex Fine, who is present in the courtroom Thursday.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The 3-year-old dark bay colt, sired by former Japanese-bred standout Karakontie, has recently emerged as an intriguing prospect that could surprise the field at Churchill Downs on Saturday.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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For The Rest, The Species Can Thank A Tortoise Known As E5 E5 was a quieter, less flamboyant male who largely avoided the spotlight but ultimately sired close to 60% of the program’s offspring.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Many clouded leopards refuse to raise their cubs in captivity, said Melissa McCartney, senior manager of animal care.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
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The bear growled, huffed and clacked her teeth — making sure her message of getting away from her cubs got across.—
Benjamin Alva Polley,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
Verb
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The tidepools are closed during seal pupping season from Dec. 15 through May 15.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 May 2025
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Charlotte-area coyote sightings The attack came during coyote pupping season, when coyotes are more aggressive toward dogs and other animals, wildlife biologists say.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk's father, Errol, welcomed his two youngest children with his former stepdaughter Comments Like his son Elon Musk, Errol Musk has fathered many children.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Elon Musk has reportedly fathered his 14th child, and people are judging him.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After getting rescued at a young age, a tuxedo kitten immediately claimed his owner's cat as his own new mommy, and internet users can't cope with the heartwarming relationship the two have developed.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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Local authorities were able to coax the bobcat kitten out of the tree and bring it some comfort.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
25 July 2023
Verb
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What began as a small Slack channel grew into a constantly humming conversation that begot some hacks that even the most grizzled New Yorkers among us hadn’t known till now.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
9 May 2025
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The same is true, pretty much, of Harold Wallace Ross, who begat The New Yorker.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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