Definition of Homo sapiensnext
as in mankind
the human race how far into the outer reaches of the universe will Homo sapiens someday be able to go?

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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 Homo sapiens As the Neanderthals gradually disappeared around 40,000 years ago—partly due to competition with our own species—Homo sapiens began taking shelter-building in new directions. — Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 Yunxian 2 provides a clearer example of an earlier lineage, suggesting that several major human lineages—Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and sister species like Homo longi—may have co-existed for hundreds of thousands of years, interacting and potentially interbreeding. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025 Homo sapiens are highly socialized animals prone to cooperate when necessary. — Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Homo sapiens
Noun
  • These words will not stop Leighton from trying, of course, which is the show’s way of expressing the folly of mankind itself.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Greed, in all of its forms—greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge—has marked the upward surge of mankind.
    — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • If that is impossible for systems much larger than atoms, many of humanity’s current technological efforts would be wasted.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Anthropic said that its initiative will give it more flexibility and scale to make donations for the benefit of humanity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • On top of these heat-seeking missiles, the platforms play to humans’ (particularly teens’) need to be accepted and admired by peers.
    — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Employees also need a basic understanding of how to communicate with it effectively, what to ask, how to give feedback and when to loop in a human instead.
    — Doron Sitbon, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

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“Homo sapiens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Homo%20sapiens. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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