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
So why in the world would the agency suddenly lower standards for employment by removing bestiality and animal cruelty committed before the age of 18? — Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 Don't be afraid to test the bounds of your comfort zone and try something new, perhaps some animal prints or bold colors. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 27 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
  • The special effects team has done terrific work re-creating his body down to the creature’s fringed lashes.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Again, another smash cut around Middle-earth reveals new flying and burrowing creatures, a shot of the Balrog (voiced by Simon Pegg) and more people armed with swords fighting for their lives.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of creature
Adjective
  • Her physical absence changes nothing about the circumstances of our friendship.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This is just a normal part of growing older, according to conventional wisdom, as if aging were a one-way street of physical decline.
    — Leana S. Wen, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of physical
Noun
  • The writer-producer set his Beauty and the Beast in a fantastical subway world beneath New York City, with Hamilton portraying an assistant district attorney and Perlman the mythic, noble man-beast.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Asked what was going on in his head during those hours in the belly of the beast, though, Abrams demures.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of beast
Adjective
  • The office’s misdemeanor section is a development ground and steppingstone for young prosecutors who take mostly DWIs and assault causing bodily injury to a family member cases to trial.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • MacIntosh also points out that the fecal avoidance experiment bears little connection to how the initial outbreak spread, through bodily fluids transmitted through scratches or bites.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of bodily

Phrases Containing animal

Browse Nearby Words

anility
animal
animal husbandry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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