coral bleaching

is not in our dictionary (yet). Here's what it could mean:

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noun

The process by which corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, typically due to stress from warmer water temperatures, causing them to turn completely white and become vulnerable to disease and death.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration believes that this fourth global coral bleaching event likely concluded in mid-2025.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

That includes droughts, floods, infrastructure damage, coral bleaching, wildfires, and agricultural and health effects.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

Thesaurus

Possible Synonyms

underwater desertification
aquatic pallor
reef whitening
ghost reef formation
thermal stress response

Possible Antonyms

coral recovery
thriving marine ecosystem
vibrant reef life
reef resilience
symbiotic health