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
-
Choose from a big assortment of polish, gift sets, treatments and polish for kids.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The first generation of parents to have resorted, at least occasionally, to mollifying their children by putting digital screens in their hands has now seen those kids grow up.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The couple's adult children from previous relationships are meeting this weekend, sources told TMZ.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Parents will be held accountable if their children are caught violating the city code.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 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
-
The high survival rate means many cubs can mature and live into adulthood, helping to increase population numbers over time.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The cub was safely secured and transported back to the station for temporary care before being turned over to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the post noted.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Among female sea otters, motherhood is particularly taxing, as energy requirements double during pregnancy, lactation, and pup care.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The youngest is a baby and is my first grandchild fathered by my son.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to Sissy, the group’s reunion is attended by, among others, Mona (Dennis), who claims to have a son fathered by Dean and the mysterious Joanne (Black), who has a secret of her own to share.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The cat distribution system is the term used for when a person finds a lost or stray cat or kitten, or the cat finds them.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Electric vehicles began growing in popularity a few years ago thanks to sustained investment and policies that begot social and cultural buy-in.—
Andrew Zaleski,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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