animal 1 of 2

noun

ˈa-nə-məl How to pronounce animal (audio)
Definition of animalnext
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The Livestock Birthing Barn celebrated more than 90 animal births of piglets, goats, calves, lambs and chicks. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 Jurors were allowed to reach a conclusion of felony or misdemeanor cruelty to animals on both counts after reviewing 112 exhibits and hearing from 14 witnesses, CBS affiliate KLAS-TV reported. — CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
When Hamnet dies, Agnes lets out a sound of pure grief and rage and horror that is almost animal. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026 And much like the fictional sport’s real-world counterpart, in this all-animal cinematic universe, roarball is the ultimate culture-definer. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animal
  1. creature
  2. physical
  3. beast
  4. bodily
Noun
  • Meanwhile, second-unit director Peter Ramsey worked alongside stunt performers, with some creature interactions achieved through surprisingly simple physical stand-ins.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Duffield also watched video of an autopsy of a large squid to figure out how to approach his lead character’s encounter with a similar creature in the early stages of his nightmare.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of creature
Adjective
  • Habits are usually paired with physical or emotional cues, and disrupting those cues can disrupt the habit.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • There was also a physical dispute between Parillo and Amy Helm after her removal, during which police were called to LHS in Woodstock.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of physical
Noun
  • Transformation scenes can be unintentionally laughable, and no one has fully figured out how to make a wolf-human hybrid look less like a fall-season impulse buy at Home Depot and more like a terrifically terrifying beast.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • One whale metaphor that lands quite nicely is how the sperm whale calls out for help when in distress, which inspires a Hail Mary plan in Jay’s fight for freedom from the belly of the beast.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of beast
Adjective
  • Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18, of Queens, was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The parents admit to some corporal punishment, but of a mild sort—the kind that might startle a child but which wouldn’t do bodily harm.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bodily

Phrases Containing animal

Browse Nearby Words

anility
animal
animal husbandry
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Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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