bull shark

noun

: an aggressive requiem shark (Carcharhinus leucas) of tropical to subtropical coastal waters that has a short, blunt snout and small eyes, is tolerant of freshwater and may spend extended periods in rivers, and has been known to attack people
Bull sharks—believed to be the culprits in the two recent Florida attacks—are especially pugnacious and often found in shallow water.—Prakash Gandhi et al.

Examples of bull shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Of course, things get complicated when a bull shark enters the scene. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026 The friendship between Sara and Max does the brunt of the emotional work in The Devil’s Mouth before the bull shark claims the spotlight. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 And not just any shark, a mondo, super-hangry bull shark that’s able to survive in salt and fresh water. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 The survival thriller follows a group of friends vacationing in Thailand who are trapped in an underwater cave with an aggressive bull shark. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bull shark

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bull shark was in 1913

Rhymes for bull shark

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Browse Nearby Words

bull set
bull shark
bullshit
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Cite this Entry

“Bull shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bull%20shark. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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