ANIMAL Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

animal 1 of 2

noun

ˈa-nə-məl

Definition of animal next

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

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animal

2 of 2

adjective

as in physical

of or relating to the human body had intellectual as well as animal needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples of animal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Several other statues, especially depictions of animals like turtles and dolphins, don’t make immediate sense as memorials to the dead. —

Lanta Davis and Vince Reighard, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 The pigment, also known as Red Dye No. 3, has been shown to cause cancer in animals, and some studies have linked it and other artificial food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in children, the nonprofit consumer advocacy group said. —

Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024

Adjective

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 The effects wouldn't be seen just in animal life—wildebeests help to maintain the grassland ecosystem, too. —

Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2010 See all Example Sentences for animal

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'animal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.