whaling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of whalingnext
as in clubbing

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whaling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of whale
1
as in smacking
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 hiding
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 pounding
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 whaling
Noun
Their protagonists tend to be runaways—men who join whaling expeditions in their haste to dodge the malaise that sets in on shore, boys who board rafts floating down the Mississippi to evade their guardians and their chores. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 This included 500 years of Black mariners in fishing, sailing, surfing and whaling. — Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Verb
When a whaling ship docks, both men are now ready to sign on as crew. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026 Over the next two decades, records are few, most of them noting criminal convictions for fighting in bars, stealing a watch, deserting a whaling ship, and beating his wife. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whaling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whaling
  1. clubbing
  2. smacking
  3. hiding
  4. pounding
  5. attack
  6. slapping
  7. whipping
  8. licking
Noun
  • Bhajan clubbing has brought Hindu tradition to the dance floor, providing a sober and spiritual nightlife experience.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 July 2026
  • Some of the banner’s most successful cultural initiatives include Cinema Paradiso, a festival dedicated to movies, food and clubbing which has been housed at some of Paris’ most prestigious venues, from the Grand Palais to the Louvre.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 June 2026
Definition of clubbing
Verb
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Rather than hiding from the toughest challenges, Hill confronted them head-on despite knowingly taking on some short-term pain and cost.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • With that $140, York bought himself a lifetime of punchlines at his expense and, presumably, years of hiding from the spotlight.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hiding
Verb
  • Visually, the entire set was stunning, with fast cuts of Nancy Whang pounding on her keyboard, Al Doyle whirring his synthesizer, and Murphy shouting into his microphone, wrapped around his arm.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Keeping a potty close by will give little ones a better chance of reaching it on time when nature has given up on calling and is pounding down the door.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of pounding
Noun
  • Detectives charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the vicious attack that killed his mother, 57-year-old Josefa Soto de Guzman, on Friday.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Just like Ejva, who suddenly needs to learn how to protect the herd and make her family proud, even when a violent attack leaves her struggling.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Whisk with ¾ cup whole milk and use in any sweet recipe that doesn’t require whipping.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the landing zone, with bullets whipping and cracking around them, Capers—barely clinging to consciousness—refused to board the helicopter until every last man, and his dog’s body, was aboard.
    — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • 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
  • Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of licking

Browse Nearby Words

whales
whaling
wham
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Cite this Entry

“Whaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whaling. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whaling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whaling

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