1
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
I've got this monkey on my back, and going to detox is the only way to get it off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in devil
an appealingly mischievous person
come back here, you little monkey!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of monkey
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025
While attending an auction together, Taylor eyed a diamond and emerald necklace and earrings of two monkeys frolicking on gold bananas.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2025
Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022
With supply running low toward the end of most evenings, savvy bun fanatics don’t monkey around, routinely calling ahead to request an extra skillet of rolls set aside just for them. Ettan.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for monkey 
Noun
Unbeknownst to them, the mysterious wind-up monkey caused a series of outrageous deaths that tore their family apart.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2025
While attending an auction together, Taylor eyed a diamond and emerald necklace and earrings of two monkeys frolicking on gold bananas.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Bears will be prepared for the environment, but getting that Morgantown monkey off their back will take a lot more than imagined.
—Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022
With supply running low toward the end of most evenings, savvy bun fanatics don’t monkey around, routinely calling ahead to request an extra skillet of rolls set aside just for them. Ettan.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
Noun
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In interviews, Payne tied his addictions to his experiences on the road.—
Federico Fahsbender,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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The federal government has long sought to prevent the horrors of drug addiction by interdicting the supply of dangerous psychoactive drugs -- and reducing demand for them.—
Paul J. Larkin,
National Review,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While the eastern grey kangaroos used in this trial are not endangered, many of Australia’s marsupial species are, including koalas and Tasmanian devils.—
Eric Cheung,
CNN,
6 Feb. 2025
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The search for wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils in Cradle Mountain National Park is a classic part of the Tasmanian experience.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Aside from a striking physical resemblance to the Silent Brotherhood’s founder, Hoult closely studied his subject, aping Mathews’ mannerisms and movements from old documentary footage, studying texts that radicalized his subject, lifting weights, and cutting alcohol from his diet.—
Ali Winston,
WIRED,
6 Dec. 2024
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On its app homepage, JD has begun aping Pinduoduo by emphasizing discounts.—
Lavender Au,
WIRED,
4 Oct. 2024
Noun
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With their heavy bodies, the rascals had ridden down the oak trees to crop the luscious acorns from the tree tips.—
Frank C. Hibben,
Outdoor Life,
13 Feb. 2025
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Till then, the always-in-hot-water antics of CIA attorney/reluctant spy Owen Hendricks (Centineo) keep us engaged and curious over how the troublemaking rascal is going to get out of another mess he’s made.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The images were widely parodied, but Leo stood her ground.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2025
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The scene and the song were later parodied in a 2007 Saturday Night Live digital short by the Lonely Island, helping broaden its reach and turning the song into a meme.—
Xander Zellner,
Billboard,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And, of course, look for those with an axe to grind—from extremist groups to rogue states and struggling superpowers—to capitalize on the global lack of leadership to make gains.—
Maha Hosain Aziz,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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The plan would also initiate the creation of an Economic Security Cooperation Board, a new institution with membership open to all countries except rogue states such as Iran, North Korea, Russia, and of course China.—
Eyck Freymann,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The edges of the cutout were left raw, mimicking the idea that the jacket had been unintentionally cut as opposed to being designed that way.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
14 Feb. 2025
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Mars exploration may take a profound toll on the psyche: the crew slept in tiny, windowless rooms, had minimal interaction with outsiders, and often spent several hours a day outside in the cold, carrying forty-pound packs to mimic scientific excursions.—
Dhruv Khullar,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For several days, the restaurant has not accepting online orders for its trademark bagels, hot dogs and brats at its remaining OG location in Plaza Midwood.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2025
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Just stand outside a daycare place and Karens will give their brats to you.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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