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
-
In that year in the United States the number of lost kids had dropped to just over two per hundred.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The hotel is appropriate for kids, and, with a registration fee, 3–15-year-olds can participate in a Central Park day camp.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 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
-
Later that week in November, another source told PEOPLE exclusively that the decision to remove the children from King's custody came after King allegedly gave Ritalin to one of her sons multiple times, even though the child had not been prescribed the medication by a doctor.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The World Food Program provides over 600,000 children a hot meal every day in many schools in Haiti.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Like so many dogs, Tuzi deals with itchy skin, and Shields swears by Prospect Pet’s Skin & Coat Health Booster to give her pup some relief.—
Madison Yauger,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Shelter volunteer Lindsay Kaplan, 34, shared the devastating clip on TikTok (@fablinds) after taking Nikki the rescue pup out for the day.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Never position yourself between a mother and her cubs.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
The attacks that do happen turn on particular bad luck, a surprise meeting at close range or a female defending cubs.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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In a sentencing memorandum in the federal case, a defense attorney said Rhone was born in Houston to a man who fathered 27 children with at least three wives while working as an explosives expert building railroads.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
It's been reported that a motivating factor in Princess Anne finally making the split official was the discovery that her husband had fathered another child years earlier.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Pregnant cats need high-quality nutrition, ideally kitten food, which supports both their health and the growth of the litter.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Nov. 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
-
One of those things probably would beget the other for Young, entering his fourth NFL season.—
Scott Fowler
June 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
-
This Time album will beget Vanity 6, which will beget 1999.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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