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
-
The kid from Sin City looked like a winner from the first pull, gaining 777 receiving yards with three TDs as a rookie.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Many other people reject formal education (for other people, though usually not for their own kids) as unnecessary to attaining the highest ranks of wealth and power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
About 1,000 children with intellectual disabilities from 26 states and Canada who ranged in age from 8 to 18 gathered at Soldier Field in Chicago to compete in 200 events.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Louise Temple gave birth to daughter Pandora Precious at 32 weeks old in March, after a prenatal scan revealed the child had no heartbeat, according to Kennedy News & Media.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
There are several Nick Cannons — the TV host, the actor, the occasional hip-hop artist, the penitent, and, perhaps the most famous Cannon, the fertile father of 12 who sired five children in 2022 alone.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2026
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Bowie sired a calf there in June 2025, making Fort Worth Zoo’s oldest elephant Rasha a great-grandmother and the matriarch of four generations.—
Harriet Ramos
May 7,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
According to the zoo, the new cub is expected to make her debut to the public in the late summer.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
However, the country maintains ownership of the pandas, including over any cubs born during their time abroad.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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After that ended in an annulment, Paschel went on to wed three more times (in 1998, 2007 and 2015) and fathered at least four children, including his late son Kazhem, who died in March 2018 at 13 months old.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
Three women who had been kidnapped between 2002 and 2004 and the 6-year-old daughter one of them had while in captivity, fathered by kidnapper Ariel Castro, were rescued.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Lisa Newton, who manages cat and kitten rescue for Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue, explained just how hidden the kittens were.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
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Where the Newborn Kittens Are Now Newton, who manages cat and kitten rescue for Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue, responded to the call on a Saturday.—
Ryan Brennan
April 16,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
War begetting still more war, like some deranged biblical prophecy.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
After the unremarkable Chip Kelly recruiting era, which begat a slight bump under DeShaun Foster, what first-year coach Bob Chesney has done, before coaching a game, has been downright remarkable.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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