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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of monkey
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Our team tested this theory by giving rhesus macaque monkeys infected with SIV – a version of HIV that infects nonhuman primates – a multiple sclerosis drug that targets integrins.
—Smita S. Iyer, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
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
Noun
Each print features Roller Rabbit’s signature monkey woven into the romantic designs of Hill House Home.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Our team tested this theory by giving rhesus macaque monkeys infected with SIV – a version of HIV that infects nonhuman primates – a multiple sclerosis drug that targets integrins.
—Smita S. Iyer, The Conversation, 8 June 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
Noun
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On June 1, the National Institutes of Health announced that researchers from the University of Florida would begin the first phase of clinical trials on kratom to evaluate it as a potential treatment for opioid addiction.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Authorities say Wednesday night's raid is part of a longer-term plan with more operations expected in the weeks ahead, before a third phase, which will focus on getting people who are struggling with addiction into treatment.—
Amanda Starrantino,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
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But there are lots of potential devils in the details (otherwise there’d be little need for experimental reactors).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
-
The two vivid soloists were tenor Anthony León as the cocky troubadour and baritone Eleomar Cuello as the cocky devil.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The track apes the softly anthemic approach of U2, Coldplay, and the National—until all of that elegant uplift topples like an overly ambitious wedding cake.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
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For Shorts, the label will appear as a small overlay at the bottom of the video itself, although that will add to the already cluttered look of the TikTok-aping Shorts.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2026
Noun
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In a likely setback for efforts to phase out dependence on fossil fuels, the conflict has reinforced the need to rely on coal during times of energy crisis, the IEA said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
Critics argue that supply constraints and import dependence limit its long-term potential.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Not even the curmudgeonly Melvin can bring himself to harm the little rascal.—
Camille Perri,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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My mother was a total gem but also a bit of a rascal.—
Catherine Pearson,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Their live performances in Sydney’s drag scene parodied hyper-masculinity and soon moved into artist-run spaces with installations and video works.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
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The spoof comedy parodied 1970s disaster films and followed Hays' character, who must overcome his fear of flying to land a commercial jet when its crew and passengers become incapacitated by food poisoning.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Now that Hakeem Jeffries has recommended that Trump not attend game 3 of the NBA Finals in NYC, the petulant brat will most certainly attend.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2026
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In her third season in the WNBA, the once-shining superstar is acting like a spoiled brat.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
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There's that fish net aspect in there, the ruffles to mimic the coral, the pearls.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
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Scientists agree some types of plastic can mimic fat, in particular in the brain, and that standardized methods are needed to sample and analyze plastic bits in the body.—
Michael Hawthorne,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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