as in dinosaurs
something that is unusually large and powerful
a whale of a pickup truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hits
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in hides
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pounds
to strike repeatedly
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whales
Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
For roughly 370 million years, scientists believed large vertebrate predators ruled ocean ecosystems — first fish and sharks, then marine reptiles, then whales.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
This Giant Octopus Has Scientists Rethinking Ancient Oceans For roughly 370 million years, scientists believed marine ecosystems were dominated by vertebrate predators — fish, sharks, marine reptiles and eventually whales.
—Ryan Brennan
april 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Winding across hills, through orchards, and surrounded by tropical flora, the layout features mountain and ocean views, notably on the 14th hole where players can marvel at whales and dolphins offshore.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
It would be tasked with tracking whales moving through the Bay and warning vessel operators of their locations to prevent collisions between the cetaceans and boats, according to a news release from Liccardo’s office.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The fun parts for me are the novel solutions, the adaptations and also of course whales and space!
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
The Golden State expanded the area in which boats are asked to slow down in an effort to avoid hitting and killing whales, reports the San Francisco Chronicle’s Brooke Park.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Families will find no shortage of things to do with the kids, such as biking through parks and visiting dolphins, sharks, and beluga whales at the famed Georgia Aquarium.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Families flock to the Cape for mini-golfing, traipsing around sand dunes, comparing ice cream stands, gobbling up lobster rolls, spotting whales, and simply admiring the gray cedar shake houses adorned with colorful buoys.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
For roughly 370 million years, scientists believed large vertebrate predators ruled ocean ecosystems — first fish and sharks, then marine reptiles, then whales.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
This Giant Octopus Has Scientists Rethinking Ancient Oceans For roughly 370 million years, scientists believed marine ecosystems were dominated by vertebrate predators — fish, sharks, marine reptiles and eventually whales.
—Ryan Brennan
april 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Winding across hills, through orchards, and surrounded by tropical flora, the layout features mountain and ocean views, notably on the 14th hole where players can marvel at whales and dolphins offshore.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
It would be tasked with tracking whales moving through the Bay and warning vessel operators of their locations to prevent collisions between the cetaceans and boats, according to a news release from Liccardo’s office.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The fun parts for me are the novel solutions, the adaptations and also of course whales and space!
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
The Golden State expanded the area in which boats are asked to slow down in an effort to avoid hitting and killing whales, reports the San Francisco Chronicle’s Brooke Park.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Families will find no shortage of things to do with the kids, such as biking through parks and visiting dolphins, sharks, and beluga whales at the famed Georgia Aquarium.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Killer whales off New England The aquarium says killer whale sightings are uncommon in New England waters.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whales
Noun
-
First, their ancestors had to survive the dinosaurs’ doomsday, which was no small feat.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
1 May 2026
-
The episode ends with Earl apologizing for helping destroy the planet before noting that dinosaurs have been on Earth for 150 million years and that nothing will change that, even as the planet is covered in snow from a new Ice Age.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The nonprofit holds a 26% stake, plus warrants if OpenAI hits certain valuation targets.—
Deepa Seetharaman,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Searchlight is in development on Lottery, a Permut Presentations drama about a young man with Down syndrome who, after winning the lottery, flees his estranged mother and hits the road with a charming new friend who has ulterior motives of her own.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ohm, well played by Scott who can wither with you with a look, is the classic ugly American and is rude to everyone at the hotel, but those putdowns and cruelty hides his self loathing.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Creative desserts were added in late 2025, like a matcha-and-fig leaf gateaux served with green apple sorbet, and blood orange-and-yuza espuma, a fluffy citrus confection that hides a surprise of chocolate olive oil pieces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the global memory crisis has worsened, forcing tech giants to pay up for the capacity needed to satisfy their data center ambitions.—
Jordan Novet,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Dubbed the Flannel and the Fury, the tour brings together the alt-rock giants for the first time, with dates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other cities.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The catcher receives the signal, checks his wrist band, then punches the command into his PitchCom.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Aeration can be done with a core aerator that punches shallow holes in the surface, or with a shovel or a rototiller that turns the soil more deeply.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whales. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
