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
-
Take the case of Luca Reggiani, a kid from Modena, developed by Sassuolo, poached by Borussia Dortmund.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Vrabel also has two kids with his wife of 27 years.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Noun
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These could simply be great-grandparents put peacefully to rest in old age, a kind of grief far removed from that which children feel over parents who simply cannot care for them, or parents lost to murder or addiction, as some of the letters describe.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
At least 168 people were killed, including 110 children.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Both calves were sired by Bernard, who is now dad to 17 rhinos.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Morobe sired two daughters as part of a breeding program.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For now, the two cubs are still adjusting — one boldly, one cautiously — to the world outside their den.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That partnership resulted in 25 years of research collaboration and successful breeding, including seven cubs born to the zoo's longtime panda pair, Lun Lun and Yang Yang.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 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
-
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
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McLaren The team fathered by 1960s Formula 1 and Can-Am driver and designer Bruce McLaren celebrates its 1,000th Grand Prix this week by taking over part of Coconut Grove.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 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
-
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
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Apollo Global Management chief economist Torsten Slok applied it to the AI age, predicting that AI adoption will beget more jobs, not fewer.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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Men begetting men is the story, a kind of immaculate cultural reproduction.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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