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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as in physical
of or relating to the human body
had intellectual as well as animal needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of animal
Ryan Ballogg, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
In terms of animal mortality, this year’s bloom was the worst since 2015-16 outbreak that killed thousands of animals between Alaska and Baja California, said SCCOOS director Clarissa Anderson of UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Animal lovers will enjoy horseback riding or visiting one of the area’s animal sanctuaries.
—Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for animal
Noun
The county’s three existing pet sale retailers can continue selling animals but face new restrictions, including licensing and inspection requirements and new vaccine and health requirements for animals.
—Ryan Ballogg, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
In terms of animal mortality, this year’s bloom was the worst since 2015-16 outbreak that killed thousands of animals between Alaska and Baja California, said SCCOOS director Clarissa Anderson of UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Adjective
However, they are immediately attacked by a ferocious creature that seems not fully animal, not fully human.
—EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Animal lovers will enjoy horseback riding or visiting one of the area’s animal sanctuaries.
—Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for animal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animal
Noun
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Stone Age hunter-gatherers may have been particularly interested in sperm whale skeletons, because the creatures are the only toothed species of the group, featuring long, straight jaw bones—perfect for crafting hunting tools, the researchers write in the paper.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 May 2025
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The vulpine creature was first described by Charles Darwin in 1834 on Chile’s Chiloé Island.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The Time to Act on Antisemitism is Now This final example demonstrated how Washington’s Jewish community made use of their physical location to enact international change.—
Time,
Time,
3 June 2025
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The environmental scientist will help check the quality of local rivers, lakes and streams by testing water for physical, chemical and biological factors.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
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With Hoefnagel’s help, these little beasts represent themselves.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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To work with Sly [Stallone] now, that dude is a beast.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The 36-year-old faces a charge of collision involving serious bodily injury, according to police records.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 May 2025
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Zachary Kaplan, 42, is charged with domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and misdemeanor domestic battery.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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