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
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
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
-
Sign up now and be one of the cool kids.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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One of my kids once presented a bar graph showing that Taco Tuesday produces 40% more dirty dishes than any other night.—
Dr. Sue Varma,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Your child isn't just competing with the kid next door for college admission or job opportunities.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The bodies of the three Decker children were discovered just days after they were reported missing by their mother on May 30.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The brother lions sired several cubs over their long reign at the zoo.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Iraq became proof that the model would work across the region, with Hezbollah serially midwifing the proxies that Iran sired.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The aim is to have a variety that includes females with and without cubs, large boars, subadults, and cubs.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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While black bears are far less aggressive than brown bears, according to the North American Bear Center, 70 percent of human fatalities caused by grizzly bears are the result of a sow protecting her cubs.—
Katie Jackson,
Outside,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As much of a character as any of the humans on the series, pup Eddie — played by Jack Russell terrier Moose — lived a long life, dying in 2006 at age 16.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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According to the American Kennel Club, human intervention in breeding and care has made male dogs less essential to pup survival, and in fact, fathers can sometimes be more of a distraction than a help.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Walker previously dated London on da Track, whom fathered her daughter and rapper LVRD Pharaoh, whom fathered her twin sons.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Owens, the 35-year-old daughter of longtime San Francisco radio host Ronn Owens, filed a paternity petition in Maricopa County Superior Court in August 2023, alleging Echard fathered twins during a one-night encounter.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After getting rescued at a young age, a tuxedo kitten immediately claimed his owner's cat as his own new mommy, and internet users can't cope with the heartwarming relationship the two have developed.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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Local authorities were able to coax the bobcat kitten out of the tree and bring it some comfort.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
25 July 2023
Verb
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As Office alumni branched out, copies begat copies.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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To-buy lists are endless, archives are long, and every competent purchase begets another.—
Sami Reiss,
Architectural Digest,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelp. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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