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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
Ben Wang delivers a breakthrough performance in the title role as a kid who tries to conquer his anxiety issues head-on by running for class president.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
According to his lawyer, Jimenez was trying to encourage the agents to wrap up before the kids arrived.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rodin himself got married in 1961, to the psychologist Jill Schwab, and raised four children.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
None of the 140 children, teachers and staff inside the synagogue were injured, authorities said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Morobe sired two daughters as part of a breeding program.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Spike had sired three elephant calves at other zoos, but none survived.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bear cubs are typically born in January and February, The Bee reported in January 2025.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The doctor had a lion cub for a pet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The bats have only one baby — or pup — per year.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The 3-year-old wolf was part of the King Mountain Pack in Routt County and had fathered at least four pups.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Her carousel began with a photo of the Academy Award-winning actress sitting on the floor, out of frame so that the camera mostly captured her hands holding the black and white kitten up to the lens.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It was never supposed to be a character study about how trauma begets trauma.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Elvis Presley begat a slew of admiring rock ‘n’ roll legends, from Bob Dylan to David Bowie.—
Kim Willis,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
