CARNAL Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'carnal' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of carnal are animal , fleshly , and sensual . While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," 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

Q: When can 'animal' be used instead of 'carnal'?

While the synonyms animal and carnal are close in meaning, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person. // led a mindless animal existence

Q: How do 'fleshly' and 'carnal' relate to one another?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal . // a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sensual' instead of 'carnal'?

While in some cases nearly identical to carnal , 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

carnal

adjective

ˈkär-nᵊl

Definition of carnal next

as in mundane

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven the preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in physical

of or relating to the human body a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sensual

pleasing to the physical senses carnal attractions of that gambling mecca in the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of carnal are animal, fleshly, and sensual. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," 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

When can animal be used instead of carnal?

While the synonyms animal and carnal are close in meaning, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

How do fleshly and carnal relate to one another?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of carnal?

While in some cases nearly identical to carnal, 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 carnal That disconcerting closeness of the cosmic and carnal was par for the course for Combs, an altar boy turned entrepreneur whose career is a monument to these and other striking dualities. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024 Unfortunately, the singer’s obsessions with Atlanta culture and carnal desire led to a momentum-killing sequence that briefly sent the concert off the rails. —

Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 But only in the closing moments are there flashes of the carnal flame that should fuel this classic. —

Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024 His timbre is as much a betrayal as his taste for the carnal press of white and caramel skin. —

Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for carnal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnal

Adjective

Beyond a point, the story is all implication by way of mundane suggestion, rather than chilling possibility.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
But as fires continue to ravage the area, the blazes also reflect—and exacerbate—the disparities embedded in the most mundane tenets of L.A. life.

— Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2025