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
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
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
-
After a long day of activity, reward the kids with a treat from The Cake Bake Shop or Graeter’s Ice Cream.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Many autistic kids are drawn to water, regardless of its temperature, because water offers a calming sensory effect.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Morris, 64, entered guilty pleas to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in an Osage County courtroom.—
Nolan Clay,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Some schools offer tuition discounts if multiple children from the same family are enrolled.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bowie recently sired a calf there, making Fort Worth Zoo elephant matriarch Rasha a great-grandmother.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The brother lions sired several cubs over their long reign at the zoo.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Two mountain lion cubs found orphaned and malnourished in March have been released back into the wild after undergoing rehabilitation at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
On a patch of public land north of Ramona earlier this month, Angela Hernandez-Cusick watched with a group of wildlife experts as the door to each cub’s carrier was opened.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As much of a character as any of the humans on the series, pup Eddie — played by Jack Russell terrier Moose — lived a long life, dying in 2006 at age 16.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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According to the American Kennel Club, human intervention in breeding and care has made male dogs less essential to pup survival, and in fact, fathers can sometimes be more of a distraction than a help.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In June, the singer filed for a temporary restraining order and alleged that Wagner made false claims about living at her property, being in a relationship with her and fathering her child.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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Josh O’Connor, at his filthy best, plays a disillusioned ’70s suburban dad married to Alana Haim and vaguely fathering a pair of pathologically chatty sons as the Vietnam War and its attendant protests color the world around them.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The now-viral clip, shared in September by @tofusnob, shows the small tabby kitten in her home, watching the fish swim in the tank before tragedy struck.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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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
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As Southerners always say, kindness begets kindness.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2025
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Metroid and Castlevania begot the Metroidvania; hell, today, practically every game of any high difficulty gets roped in with soulslikes (referencing Dark Souls).—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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