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There are three species of hyena— doglike carnivores found in Asia and Africa. Actually more closely related to cats than to dogs, hyenas have coarse fur, four toes on each foot, long forelegs, claws that do not retract, and enormously strong jaws and teeth. They live alone or in packs and may be active by night or day. Hyenas are noted for scavenging but will also attack live prey. The spotted, or laughing, hyena, whose calls alternately resemble wailing and maniacal laughter, ranges through much of sub-Saharan Africa. Yellowish or grayish with dark spots, it is about 6½ ft (1.8 m) long, including the 12-in (30-cm) tail, and weighs up to 175 lb (80 kg). The hyena has been known to attack people and even to carry off young children.
Examples of hyena in a Sentence
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
During morning hours, visitors can set off on a game drive in search of sambar deer, striped hyenas and—of course—tigers, then head back to the property to enjoy its on-site spa and impressive wine selection before sitting down for a stunning sunset.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
After surviving the shipwreck, Pi’s joy, humor and despair turn on a dime as his lifeboat is beset by surviving animals — a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan named Orange Juice, and our Royal Bengal tiger.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
Scientists theorized that this species’ small stature likely made them at high risk for attacks from local predators, like sabertooth cats and giant hyenas.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hyena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyena. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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hyena
noun
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