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
Deadly dog mauling Kansas City Police officers responded around 9:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2024, to the Marlborough East neighborhood for a call about an animal bite incident. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 There are also some animal studies that fed rodents with large amounts of these dyes in which no tumors were observed. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Smoothies are an easy way to incorporate more non-animal protein into your diet. Amy Stanford, Health, 27 Mar. 2023 But momentum is building for non-animal approaches, which could ultimately help speed drug development, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burdens borne by lab animals, experts said. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for animal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animal
Noun
  • In the game, players take on the role of planeswalkers, powerful spellcasters who summon creatures, cast spells and use artifacts to defeat their opponents.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The fifth movement is his funeral: a witches’ sabbath replete with monsters and creatures, with an undead version of his beloved as their ringleader.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Addressing both the mental and physical parts of grief is critical for healing.
    Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Then Trump proposed sending U.S. citizens convicted of crimes to El Salvador, where prisoners are allegedly held incommunicado and face physical and mental abuse.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But this is the nature of the beast, and the reality of a team who just experienced the most disappointing year in franchise history.
    Shane Young, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • By trampling shrubs, the beasts would encourage the growth of grasses that are good at absorbing greenhouse gases.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Mosser’s office determined that none of the officers should be charged with using deadly force given the reasonable belief that the force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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