plural donkeys
Synonyms of donkeynext
1
: the domestic ass (Equus asinus)
2
: a stupid or obstinate person

Examples of donkey in a Sentence

we put our bags on the donkey and headed down the canyon called him a donkey when he refused to go along with their plans
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Grab a coffee and visit ponies, donkeys, sheep, pigs, geese, goats, and chickens, or head to the garden to wander around the apple, pear, and plum trees in the orchard. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026 Across the river in Mexico, men hawk rides in their dusty pick-ups, on horseback or by donkey, to take tourists three-quarters of a mile up a dirt road. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026 On a Monday last spring, Guelleh stood watching a procession of goats, donkeys and camels quenching their thirst at the water tank that once supplied his field. Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026 The two dogs, a black Cane Corso and a black and tan Shepherd mix, that Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials are searching for after a wild donkey was attacked and killed earlier this week. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for donkey

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of donkey was circa 1785

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donkey. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

donkey

noun
plural donkeys
1
: a sturdy domestic mammal that is classified with the asses and is used especially to carry things
2
: a stupid or stubborn person

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