as in rays
any of several extremely large rays
a manta glided along the sea bottom
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Recent Examples of mantas
The mantas are still spotted in May and October, but in fewer numbers.
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Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Divers can expect to explore underwater cliffs and walls teeming with mantas, tuna, and various species of sharks.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025
Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Divers can expect to explore underwater cliffs and walls teeming with mantas, tuna, and various species of sharks.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mantas
rays
Noun
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The latter creates a beautiful interplay of light and dark, allowing the sun’s rays to effortlessly pass through it.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
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Another discovery was a new chimaera — also known as a ghost shark or rat fish — a type of animal related to sharks and rays, which have cartilaginous rather than bony skeletons.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mantas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mantas. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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