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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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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The goal is to engage kids in learning about history and civic engagement while putting them on a path to potentially work in the music industry, said the department’s Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
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Early life as a theater kid Van Der Beek, who was raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, started acting at 13 after suffering a concussion playing football that prevented him from playing for a year on doctor’s orders.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Concerned about the safety of two children in the home, Aljorna and Sosa-Celis surrendered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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It is based on a children’s book from former American football player Martellus Bennett, who also stars alongside Jhené Aiko, Juliet Donenfeld, Innocent Ekakitie and David Mitchell.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Spike had sired three elephant calves at other zoos, but none survived.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Conspiracists have long speculated about if and how Hitler might live on: using a pseudonym in Argentina, huddling in a bunker under the Antarctic ice, or secretly siring offspring.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And there are plenty more infant critters in these Wildlife Photographer of the Year images, including a possum, a crab, kestrels and bear cubs galore.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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As for the cub, a little sow, it was flown to Anchorage.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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The bats have only one baby — or pup — per year.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Spike has fathered three other calves at other zoos but none survived, the zoo said.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Nonetheless, none fathered children, meaning Hitler’s bloodline will indeed definitively end after this generation.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As an independent music artist, Kerensa is no stranger to social media—but didn’t expect Pomelo kitten to become an internet star.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Her carousel began with a photo of the Academy Award-winning actress sitting on the floor, out of frame so that the camera mostly captured her hands holding the black and white kitten up to the lens.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Le, no stranger to the restaurant industry, which often begets ingenuity, got creative.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
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At first, its proliferation seemed to constitute a typical case of Hollywood copycatting; Big Little Lies becomes a smash, wins eight Emmys, begets flimsy imitations that lots of people watch anyway.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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