whale 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wāl How to pronounce whale (audio)
Definition of whalenext
as in dinosaur
something that is unusually large and powerful a whale of a pickup truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whale

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to hit
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 to hide
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 to lick
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 whale
Noun
Peekachu was one of eight whales moved from Marineland park in Ontario to the Chicago aquarium this summer — four in July, and four more this month. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 Island Packers runs whale watching tours from Ventura Harbor, and other local whale watching operators depart from Santa Barbara and Oxnard Harbors as well. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026 His compositions not only follow a consistent musical thread but also explore different stages of life, diving into themes ranging from personal growth and transformation to the meaning of the sound of whales. — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026 Perhaps whale songs — wail songs — are never truly lost if they were once truly heard. — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whale
  1. dinosaur
  2. hit
  3. hide
  4. lick
  5. giant
  6. punch
  7. whip
  8. pound
Noun
  • And Vernal itself was fun, with big fibreglass dinosaurs in front of half of its cafés, petrol stations and hotels, including our own, the Dinosaur Inn & Suites.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This short film, created by Little Nemo cartoonist Winsor McCay, is one of the very best dinosaur movies, a groundbreaking work of animation and one of the first examples of incorporating the medium into live-action.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of dinosaur
Verb
  • Throw it on over a swimsuit before hitting the beach, or accessorize it with a belt and some sunnies for a laid-back, yet polished, ensemble.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The American military undertook fresh strikes against Iran, hitting air defense and radar system targets.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Dress up your table for your next dinner party with these linen placemats, or hide away blankets, books, and other clutter in this coffee table with secret storage.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the park’s makeup team constructed prosthetic eyelashes that hide a rice-sized LED light that hangs in front of the performer’s eyes.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • One act featured two young women sitting on the stage and licking orange Popsicles (yes, that was the whole act).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Noun
  • An increasing number of investors are paying attention to how tech giants are relying more heavily on debt financing to fund their AI expansion.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The most rewarding part has been witnessing the power of Manoj and Boman – two giants of cinema – working together for the first time in this film.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of giant
Verb
  • James showed excellent vision and punch, and paired with Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey, the Niners should have three worthwhile, trustworthy backs this season.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch
Verb
  • Ella Langley continues to whip fans into a frenzy on social media.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Deploying everything from pickled green strawberries and fresh peas to whipped labneh with Banyul vinegar glaze, artful Viennoiserie evokes more than a little whimsy that spans sweet and savory.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of whip
Verb
  • Sarajevans still remember his commands to the Serb gunmen pounding the Bosnian capital in early 1992.
    — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Deadly landslides struck Southern and Central California, wiping out hillside homes, and powerful waves pounded the state’s shoreline.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pound

Browse Nearby Words

whacks
whale
whaleboat
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Cite this Entry

“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whale. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whale

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whale

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