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
After the wombat hisses, seemingly in distress, Jones eventually returns the animal to the bush. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025 Experts say the animals in the video were common wombats, the only one of three species of the Australian marsupial which is not threatened or endangered. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 13 Mar. 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
  • The music inspires its creatures, and vice versa — like the Altamaha-ha, a legendary water beast that hails from stories told around the Altamaha River in Georgia.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond the obvious significance of subverting traditional power dynamics and placing the mic in her fans’ hands, the most unbelievable part of the evening was Gaga dancing among us to her album, totally blending in with her fellow black-clad, sunglass-wearing nightlife creatures.
    James Factora, Them, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His putative allies are, after all, terrified of harassment and physical violence from the army of released insurrectionists that Trump all but commands himself.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • For some, the lockdown was sprinkled with physical terror as questions arose about where to place Ebola victims.
    Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The music inspires its creatures, and vice versa — like the Altamaha-ha, a legendary water beast that hails from stories told around the Altamaha River in Georgia.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • At his peak, Bosa was a beast to keep out of opponents’ backfields.
    Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • They are often intertwined with political, moral and spiritual ideas around the rights of an individual versus the community, the limits of government power over bodily autonomy, mistrust of medical institutions and misinformation about shot safety and efficacy.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2025
  • He was sentenced to serve eight years in prison for first-degree burglary and assault likely to cause great bodily injury.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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