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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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 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
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Jesus never talked about children or the elderly and wisely remained a bachelor with no kids but did date casually and was apparently very good-looking.— John Kenney, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
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But the status quo is upended by the arrival of Kyra Marshall (Anika Noni Rose), a woman with young kids who wants a stop sign for safety reasons.— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While raising young children, Currie finally obtained her undergraduate degree in 1968 before working on the campaign of activist and lawyer Michael Shakman to be elected delegate to the 1969-70 constitutional convention.— Hannah Meisel, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
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Harper’s Bazaar didn’t report a due date for her third child.— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both calves were sired by Bernard, who is now dad to 17 rhinos.— Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
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Morobe sired two daughters as part of a breeding program.— Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of the two bear cubs captured by California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials in Monrovia on Sunday, March 15, 2026.— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
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Her two cubs were sent to the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Among female sea otters, motherhood is particularly taxing, as energy requirements double during pregnancy, lactation, and pup care.— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
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Big Lake Humane Society pup Shishi also will compete for Team Ruff, while Mia Muffin is on Team Fluff.— Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jeffs was eventually arrested in 2006 and five years later, he was charged with child rape against a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old, with whom he was accused of having fathered a child.— Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
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The ship’s log was kept by a young officer named Nathaniel Hathorne—who would later father that other, more famous Nathaniel Hawthorne (the author added the w).— Michele MetychAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lisa Newton, who manages cat and kitten rescue for Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue, explained just how hidden the kittens were.— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
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Where the Newborn Kittens Are Now Newton, who manages cat and kitten rescue for Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue, responded to the call on a Saturday.— Ryan Brennan April 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And rhetoric, it could be said, begets more rhetoric.— Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
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Electric vehicles began growing in popularity a few years ago thanks to sustained investment and policies that begot social and cultural buy-in.— Andrew Zaleski, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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