animal 1 of 2

as in creature
one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings we saw a lot of animals at the wildlife refuge—cranes, alligators, deer, a fox, even an armadillo

Synonyms & Similar Words

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animal

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word animal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of animal are carnal, fleshly, and sensual. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

When can carnal be used instead of animal?

The words carnal and animal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

a slave to carnal desires

How do fleshly and carnal relate to one another, in the sense of animal?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of animal?

The words sensual and animal can be used in similar contexts, but sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

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 animal
Noun
This animal is bouncing back from the brink of extinction Animal conservationists in Australia have launched an initiative to bring back miniature kangaroo lookalikes. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 Other times, these animals do something that has never been seen. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Nature friendly and environmentally friendly products are readily accepted by the sophisticated consumer who is searching for products that are non-animal. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 10 June 2022 Yiannas' notice comes less than a week before Califf is expected to release a response to a scathing report calling for an overhaul of the way the agency regulates human and animal foods. Jonel Aleccia, ajc, 25 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for animal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animal
Noun
  • Sten Lennart Jakobsen/East Zealand Museum About 66 million years ago, just before the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, a fish chewed up and spit out some sea creatures.
    James Doubek, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025
  • In the karst, rocky limestone landscape of Thailand, a group of green creatures hides in the shadows.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • IDrive sends you a physical, temporary storage device that works directly with the desktop app.
    Robert Anderson, PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Wicker pointed to Samantha Hegseth’s statement denying that there was any physical abuse in the relationship.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • During the ruckus, Blake is gashed by the beast, beginning his gradual transformation and degeneration into a Wolf Man.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Yet Blake doesn’t leave unscathed, as he’s scratched by a beast that looks suspiciously lycanthropic.
    William Earl, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The adrenal glands produce various hormones, including adrenaline and noradrenaline, essential for different bodily functions.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
  • According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department's online inmate information, Hudson, 23, is facing charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, reckless homicide and neglect of a dependent.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near animal

Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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