as in rays
any of several extremely large rays
a manta glided along the sea bottom
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Recent Examples of mantas
The resident Manta Trust team has catalogued 150 individual rays and uses the world's first underwater contactless ultrasound scanner to check on pregnant mantas, while the Olive Ridley Project leads turtle research across Laamu Atoll.
—
Jonny Bierman, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
The mantas are still spotted in May and October, but in fewer numbers.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Divers can expect to explore underwater cliffs and walls teeming with mantas, tuna, and various species of sharks.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025
Jonny Bierman, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
The mantas are still spotted in May and October, but in fewer numbers.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Divers can expect to explore underwater cliffs and walls teeming with mantas, tuna, and various species of sharks.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mantas
rays
Noun
-
The southern façade, for instance, is entirely solid—no windows, no openings—to shield the interior from the most brutal solar rays.—
Nick Mafi,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The family smiles while dressed casually and barefoot, squinting from the sun's rays.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mantas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mantas. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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