monkey 1 of 2

noun

ˈməŋ-kē How to pronounce monkey (audio)
Definition of monkeynext
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

monkey

2 of 2

verb

as in to ape

Related Words

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 monkey
Noun
The first episode introduces Pavi (Saheli Khan), a young bender who’s secretly the Avatar and has a pet cat-monkey named Geet. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 To make things even more complicated, the Black Best Actor candidate with the best chance of making it in is probably Jaafar Jackson of Michael — how’s that for a monkey’s paw? — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
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. — Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021 But this experiment isn't about monkeying around—this a real security and safety hazard, the researchers point out in a new paper. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 31 Jan. 2020 See All Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
  1. addiction
  2. devil
  3. ape
  4. dependence
  5. rascal
  6. parody
  7. brat
  8. mimic
Noun
  • Some recent studies have highlighted addiction problems, and some organizations have raised alarm bells that the rise in youth gambling is a public health crisis, which has motivated policymakers to propose legislation to regulate sports betting.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In March, a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and Google to pay $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old plaintiff in a bellwether social media addiction trial.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of addiction
Noun
  • In Jennifer’s Body, Needy (Seyfried) is BFFs with the titular mean girl played by Fox, whose body becomes possessed by a succubus with a taste for teen boys after a botched sacrifice by a devil-worshipping boy band (led by Adam Brody).
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Behave yourself, buddy, or the little red devil will take you away!
    — Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of devil
Verb
  • The two musicians are so good at aping the sounds they were raised on that originality and reference become one and the same.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Critics and fanboy media thrashed Supergirl not just for its Guardians of the Galaxy touchstones, but also for aping Mad Max.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Definition of ape
Noun
  • Europe relies heavily on US cloud infrastructure, and the Commission is turning concerns about that dependence into measurable requirements.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Officials say preliminary evidence indicates that all three substances are potent and could result in dependence and respiratory depression.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of dependence
Noun
  • An alligator with a sense of humor knocked on a North Carolina woman’s front door in the middle of the night, and the rascal got a rather rude response.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Even though the Feeneys have gotten more competitive under the junior Michel’s management, the rascal-on-the-field ethos of the original team still prevails.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of rascal
Verb
  • The couple was so famous that they were often parodied by TV comedians for their lavish lifestyle and Tammy Faye’s abundant makeup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The couple was so famous that they were often parodied by TV comedians for their lavish lifestyle and Tammy Faye's abundant makeup.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Before globetrotting for work, she was raised as the altruistic equivalent of an army brat.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Sure, there will be stein-hoisting and brat-tossing competitions.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of brat
Verb
  • The novel was also partly epistolary, including segments of fictional court transcripts and news coverage created by King (who enjoyed mimicking different writing styles).
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The result is weightless all-day volume that mimics that of hair on the much thicker side, and hairstylist Becca Kraeger swears by it for adding fullness and bounce to natural curls without weighing them down.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of mimic

Phrases Containing monkey

Browse Nearby Words

monk
monkey
monkey (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monkey

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