PELAGIC Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

pelagic

adjective

pə-ˈla-jik

Definition of pelagic

as in marine

of or relating to the sea among pelagic animals the undisputed king is the blue whale, the largest creature currently roaming the face of the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in oceanic

of, relating to, or occurring in the open sea at one time pelagic whaling was the cornerstone of the island's economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

littoral

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 pelagic And although most marine mammals are coastal, some pelagic whales and dolphins dwell far offshore. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Apr. 2026 The same goes for the San Diego-Scripps conservation area, except for the recreational taking of coastal pelagic species (northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel and jack mackerel) by hook and line only. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 Kona Blackwater Dive is an advanced, thrilling dive over deep water (thousands of feet) to witness the nightly migration of pelagic, alien-like and larval creatures. — Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026 Mark Fitchett, a pelagic fisheries scientist, said local small-boat fishers hold a range of views on the sharks and their growing depredation. — CBS News, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pelagic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pelagic

Adjective

Long-duration observations can help researchers study changes that are difficult to capture during short research cruises, while onboard engineering facilities could support testing of marine equipment and systems.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Surfers, fishers, business owners, real estate brokers, Indigenous leaders, marine scientists and everyday residents lined up for hours to express their support for the state and urged federal officials to set politics aside in their review.

— Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of marine

Adjective

Emergence of oceanic exploitation Tuna consumption by people is obviously nothing new.

— Torben Rick, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
El Niño is like dropping a rock in a pond, says Daniel Vimont, professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

— Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of oceanic

Adjective

The first deep-sea scientist from the Seychelles dives below the surface of the Indian Ocean.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
In April this year, the parties again teamed up to develop, build and operate a new deep-sea terminal in Da Nang, known as the Lien Chieu Container Port.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of deep-sea

Browse Nearby Words

pelages

pelagic

pelerine

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Style

“Pelagic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pelagic. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pelagic

adjective

Example Sentences

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